Position indicator and input system

ABSTRACT

A position indicator that is used with a position detection device including a position detection sensor, the position indicator including a first function module and a second function module. The first function module includes a core body that, in operation, is brought into contact with an input surface for position detection in the position detection sensor, and a position detection signal transmission circuit, in operation, that transmits a position detection signal to the position detection sensor. The second function module includes a first function circuit that, in operation, generates characteristic selection information corresponding to a characteristic of the core body or a characteristic of the input surface and transmits the characteristic selection information, or a second function circuit that, in operation, generates a stimulus corresponding to the characteristic selection information such that a user who is holding the position indicator audibly or tactilely perceives the stimulus.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a position indicator that is used witha position detection device including a position detection sensor. Also,the present disclosure relates to an input system including a positionindicator, a position detection device, and an information processingdevice.

Description of the Related Art

Mice and keyboards have been used as operation input sections of aninformation processing device such as a personal computer (hereinafter,referred to as a PC). Meanwhile, position indicators to be used with aposition detection device including a position detection sensor havebeen used as operation input sections to input characters and the likeor draw a picture and the like. A position indicator that is an inputtool including a stick-like casing and having a pen-like shape isgenerally called an electronic stylus.

When a position on an input surface that is provided in a detectiveregion of a position detection sensor is indicated by a positionindicator such as an electronic stylus, a position detection devicedetects the coordinates of the position in the detective region of theposition detection sensor indicated by the position indicator. A motiontrace (writing trace) of the position indicated by the positionindicator is formed as writing trace data indicating detected continuousposition coordinates. On the basis of the writing trace data, thewriting trace is displayed on a display screen.

Display screen-equipped input systems, in which position indicators areused as operation input sections, are categorized into a type includinga position indicator and a digitizer device or tablet device that has adisplay screen-equipped display device function, a position detectiondevice function, and an information processing device function, and atype including a digitizer or tablet constituting a position detectiondevice equipped with no display screen, an information processing devicesuch as a PC to which the digitizer or tablet is connected and which hasa display screen, and a position indicator.

For the position indicators or electronic styluses, operability and useforms that are equivalent to those of a conventional writing tool suchas a pencil with respect to a writing medium such as a paper sheet havebeen desired. In recent years, some people desire to use an electronicstylus having a conventional shape and a conventional casing that havebeen used for pencils or ball-point pens which form writing traces onwriting mediums such as paper sheets. Specifically, an electronic stylusbody part having all the electronic stylus functions is formed into acartridge (electronic stylus cartridge) structure, and the cartridge ofthe electronic stylus body part is formed into the same shape (the samewidth, the same length, and an analogous pen tip side configuration) asa ball-point pen refill. If so, the electronic stylus cartridge can beinstalled in an exterior case (outer housing) of a ball-point pen.

On the basis of this idea, an electronic stylus cartridge having thesame shape as a ball-point pen refill has been provided (seeWO2016/031329, for example). This electronic stylus cartridge can beused in the same manner as a ball-point pen which is a conventionalwriting tool, and there is no change from the use feeling of aconventional writing part (the electronic stylus can be used like aconventional writing part). That is, since the electronic stylus isformed by installing a cartridge into a casing of a ball-point pen whichis a writing tool, an input to an electronic device can be performedwhile the same use feeling as a ball-point pen is given.

WO2016/031329 further proposes an electronic stylus in which a pluralityof electronic stylus cartridges are installed into an exterior case(outer housing) of a multi-color ball-point pen. In this case, uniqueidentification information (cartridge ID) is given to each of theelectronic stylus cartridges, the identification information istransmitted to a position detection device and an information processingdevice, so that the information processing device can identify anelectronic stylus cartridge selected by a knock operation. Accordingly,the color, the line thickness, and the like of a writing trace of theelectronic stylus can be changed.

In addition, a pencil-type electronic stylus has also been implementedby providing a hole in the axial direction of a wooden pencil casing andinserting an electronic stylus cartridge into the hole. Moreover, apencil-type electronic stylus with an electronic eraser attached on atail end, which is opposite to a pen tip side, has been proposed.Specifically, two electronic stylus cartridges are used and mounted onthe tip end and the tail end, and different signal frequencies are setfor the tip end and the tail end to be distinguished from each other, orthe electronic stylus cartridges are caused to transmit different piecesof identification information (cartridge IDs) such that the electronicstylus cartridge on the tip end and the electronic stylus cartridge onthe tail end are distinguished from each other. In a case where an inputis performed with the electronic stylus cartridge on the tip end, theinput may be processed as motion of writing a character or drawing apicture, for example. In a case where an input is performed with theelectronic stylus cartridge on the tail end, the input may be processedas motion of deleting the inputted character or picture.

In an input system using a conventional electronic stylus, displayattributes, for example, the line type, the line width, and the linedensity, of a writing trace of an electronic stylus to be displayed on adisplay screen of a tablet device or a PC, are usually not indicated bythe electronic stylus side, but are selected by a user using aninformation processing device function of the tablet device or the PC.Further, a configuration of also allowing the user to select the type ofa writing medium by using the information processing device function ofthe tablet device or the PC can be implemented.

However, when such a user's operation of selecting the line type, theline width, and the line density of the writing trace as well as thetype of a writing medium, for example, paper, is performed through thetablet device or the PC, an indication input operation using theelectronic stylus is stopped because the selecting operation needs to bea quite different operation from the indication input operation, whichis inconvenience. Moreover, this causes a problem that the efficiencyand smoothness of a writing input work using the electronic stylus aredeteriorated.

Hardness of a pen tip (hardness of a core body) of an electronic stylusmay be previously determined in correspondence with identificationinformation of the electronic stylus. On the basis of the identificationinformation received from the electronic stylus, a tablet device or a PCmay determine the hardness of the core body of the electronic stylus andrecognize a line type and a line width corresponding to the determinedhardness of the core body, so that a writing trace is displayed with therecognized line type and line width.

The density and line width of a writing trace of a writing tool such asa pencil depend not only on the hardness of a core of the pencil butalso on a characteristic of a writing medium such as paper duringwriting. Also for electronic styluses, operability and use forms thatare equivalent to those of a conventional writing tool such as a pencilwith respect to a writing medium such as a paper sheet have been desiredas previously explained.

However, there has been a problem that, only with identificationinformation on an electronic stylus, the hardness of the core body ofthe electronic stylus and one specific writing medium can be designated,but an optional writing medium during writing cannot be designated.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is toimplement a position indicator with which a writing trace correspondingto an actual writing input state or a writing trace under a certainstate designated by a user can be displayed on an information processingdevice side, with a simple configuration.

Another object of the present disclosure is to implement an input systemin which a writing trace corresponding to an actual writing input stateor a writing trace under a certain state designated by a user can bedisplayed on an information processing device side.

A further object of the present disclosure is to, in a case where awriting trace corresponding to an actual writing input state or awriting trace under a certain state designated by a user can bedisplayed, feed back to the user a feeling that is obtained at the timeof writing input corresponding to the displayed writing trace.

In order to solve the above problems, there is provided a positionindicator that is used with a position detection device including aposition detection sensor, the position indicator including a firstfunction module and a second function module. The first function moduleincludes a core body that is brought into contact with an input surfacefor position detection in the position detection sensor, and a positiondetection signal transmission circuit that transmits a positiondetection signal to the position detection sensor. The second functionmodule includes a first function circuit that generates characteristicselection information corresponding to a characteristic of the core bodyand/or a characteristic of the input surface and transmits the generatedcharacteristic selection information to an outside, and/or a secondfunction circuit that generates a stimulus corresponding to thecharacteristic selection information such that a user who is holding theposition indicator audibly and/or tactilely perceives the stimulus.

In the position indicator having the above configuration, the secondfunction module generates the characteristic selection informationcorresponding to the characteristic of the core body and/or thecharacteristic of the input surface, and the generated characteristicselection information is transmitted to an outside which is aninformation processing device, for example.

Accordingly, a writing trace having a line width and a line densitycorresponding to the characteristic selection information transmittedfrom the position indicator can be displayed at the informationprocessing device. Specifically, a writing trace corresponding to acharacteristic of the core body and a characteristic of the inputsurface under the actual use environment or a writing tracecorresponding to a characteristic of the core body and a characteristicof the input surface designated by the user can be displayed at theinformation processing device.

Further, in the position indicator, the second function module generatesa stimulus corresponding to the characteristic selection informationsuch that the user who is holding the position indicator audibly and/ortactilely perceives the stimulus. Accordingly, the user can get awriting-input-time feeling corresponding to the characteristic of thecore body and/or the characteristic of the input surface.

Moreover, there is provided an input system including a positionindicator, a position detection device including a sensor for detectinga position indicated by the position indicator, and an informationprocessing device. The position indicator includes a core body that isbrought into contact with an input surface for position detection in thesensor, a position detection signal transmission circuit that transmitsa position detection signal to the sensor, a characteristic selectioninformation generation circuit that generates characteristic selectioninformation corresponding to a characteristic of the core body and/or acharacteristic of the input surface, and a transmission circuit thattransmits the characteristic selection information generated by thecharacteristic selection information generation circuit, to an externaldevice. The position detection device detects a position indicated bythe position indicator, on the basis of reception of the positiondetection signal through the sensor, and supplies information regardingthe detected position indicated by the position indicator to theinformation processing device. The information processing deviceacquires the characteristic selection information transmitted from theposition indicator and displays, in a display form corresponding to theacquired characteristic selection information, a writing trace of theposition indicator based on the information regarding the positionindicated by the position indicator, the information being received fromthe position detection device.

According to the input system having the above configuration, theinformation processing device uses the characteristic selectioninformation generated by the position indicator, so that a writing traceof the position indicator based on information regarding the positionindicated by the position indicator can be displayed as a writing tracecorresponding to an actual writing input state or a writing traceobtained under a certain state designated by the user.

Furthermore, there is provided a position indicator that is used with aposition detection device including a position detection sensor, theposition indicator including a core body that is brought into contactwith an input surface for position detection in the position detectionsensor, a position detection signal transmission circuit that transmitsa position detection signal to the position detection sensor, and astimulus generation circuit that generates a stimulus such that a userwho is holding the position indicator audibly and/or tactilely perceivesthe stimulus. The stimulus generation circuit generates a stimuluscorresponding to a state change that occurs in the position indicatorduring an input operation with the core body being in contact with theinput surface.

In the position indicator having the above configuration, a stimuluscorresponding to a state change that occurs in the position indicatorduring an input operation with the core body being in contact with theinput surface is generated. Accordingly, the user can get awriting-input-time feeling corresponding to the characteristic of thecore body and/or the characteristic of the input surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a general configuration example of aninput system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, theinput system using a position indicator according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams depicting configuration examples of theposition indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams depicting another configuration example ofthe position indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams depicting another configuration example ofthe position indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting one example of a casing of the positionindicator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams depicting a configuration example of theposition indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagram depicting a configuration example of a part of theposition indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a firstfunction module constituting the position indicator according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a diagram depicting a circuit configuration example of a mainpart of a position detection module in the example of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of thefirst function module constituting the position indicator according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting a configuration example of a positiondetection device that is used with the position indicator according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a diagram depicting an electronic circuit configurationexample of the first function module constituting the position indicatoraccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining another configurationexample of the first function module constituting the position indicatoraccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining another configurationexample of the first function module constituting the position indicatoraccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a diagram depicting another configuration example of theposition detection device that is used with the position indicatoraccording to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a secondfunction module constituting the position indicator according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of thesecond function module constituting the position indicator according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams for explaining another configurationexample of the second function module constituting the positionindicator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining another configuration example of thesecond function module constituting the position indicator according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a diagram depicting another configuration example of theposition indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams depicting another configuration exampleof the position indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 22 is a diagram depicting a configuration example of the inputsystem according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the inputsystem using the position indicator according to the embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation example inthe input system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,the input system using the position indicator according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 24A and 24B are diagrams for explaining the processing operationexample in the input system according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the input system using the position indicator according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the processing operation example inthe input system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure,the input system using the position indicator according to theembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a diagram depicting another configuration example of theinput system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, theinput system using the position indicator according to the embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation example inthe other configuration example of the input system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, the input system using theposition indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation example inthe other configuration example of the input system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, the input system using theposition indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 29 is a diagram depicting a further configuration example of theinput system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, theinput system using the position indicator according to the embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the configuration example of FIG. 29; and

FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation example inthe further configuration example of the input system according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, the input system using theposition indicator according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a position indicator according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure as well as an input system according to an embodimentof the present disclosure, the input system using the position indicatoraccording to the embodiment, will be explained with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting a configuration example of an input systemaccording to an embodiment. The input system according to the presentembodiment includes an electronic stylus 1 which is an example of theposition indicator according to the embodiment, a tablet 2 whichconstitutes an example of a position detection device, and a PC 3 whichconstitutes an example of an information processing device.

The tablet 2 includes a position detection sensor 20 that is disposed ona rear side of an input surface 2 a for receiving an indication inputfrom the electronic stylus 1, and further includes a position detectioncircuit (not depicted in FIG. 1 ) that is connected to the positiondetection sensor 20. The position detection circuit detects, on theinput surface 2 a, a position (position coordinates) indicated by theelectronic stylus 1 on the basis of a position detection signal withwhich the electronic stylus 1 and the position detection sensor 20interact with each other. Signal interaction including a positiondetection signal between the electronic stylus 1 and the positiondetection sensor 20 may be performed by an electromagnetic inductionmethod or by a capacitive coupling method.

The tablet 2 is connected to the PC 3, and supplies detectioninformation (hereinafter, position detection information) regarding theposition (position coordinates) on the input surface 2 a indicated bythe electronic stylus 1 and information such as those described later,to the PC 3. The tablet 2 and the PC 3 may be connected to each other ina wired or wireless manner. In the example in FIG. 1 , the tablet 2 isnot equipped with a display screen.

The PC 3 is formed by connecting a display device 32 to an informationprocessing device part 31. The information processing device part 31connected to the tablet 2 receives the position detection informationfrom the tablet 2, generates information for displaying a writing traceas a continuous time change of the position on the input surface 2 aindicated by the electronic stylus 1 (as a trace of the position on theinput surface 2 a indicated by the electronic stylus 1), and displaysthe information on a display screen 32D of the display device 32.

In the present embodiment, from the electronic stylus 1 and the tablet2, the PC 3 receives, separately from the position detectioninformation, position detection-related information which is suppliedfrom the electronic stylus 1 or the tablet 2 to the PC 3 when anindication is inputted to the input surface 2 a by the electronic stylus1. The position detection-related information supplied from the tablet 2is pen pressure information or identification information received fromthe electronic stylus 1. The position detection-related informationsupplied from the electronic stylus 1 will be explained later.

When displaying, on the display screen 32D of the display device 32, awriting trace or the like based on the position detection informationreceived from the tablet 2, the information processing device part 31 ofthe PC 3 uses the position detection-related information received fromthe electronic stylus 1 and/or the tablet 2. In this case, theinformation processing device part 31 may generate and use informationbased on the position detection-related information, instead of directlyusing the position detection-related information, in order to determinedisplay attributes for displaying the writing trace or the like. Forexample, as examples of the position detection-related information, penattributes such as a pen type, core body hardness, a core body width,and a core body shape are determined in advance in correspondence withthe identification information supplied from the electronic stylus 1.The information processing device part 31 includes a storage device fortable information for obtaining the pen attributes from theidentification information supplied from the electronic stylus 1.

The table information may previously be stored in the informationprocessing device part 31. However, in the present example, a serverdevice 4 for providing the table information is connected to acommunication network 5, and the information processing device part 31previously accesses the server device 4 via the communication network 5,and downloads and stores the table information.

General Explanation of Electronic Stylus 1 Embodying Position Indicator

The electronic stylus 1 of the present embodiment includes two functionmodules, i.e., a first function module 11 and a second function module12.

The first function module 11 includes a core body 111 (see FIG. 1 )having a tip end 111 a that is brought into contact with the inputsurface 2 a of the tablet 2, and further includes a position detectionsignal transmission circuit that transmits a position detection signalto the position detection sensor 20. In addition, in the presentexample, the first function module 11 has a function of detectinginformation regarding a pen pressure being applied to the core body 111,and supplying the detected information together with the positiondetection signal to the position detection sensor 20. In the followingexplanation, the first function module 11 will be referred to as theposition detection module 11.

In the present embodiment, the second function module 12 has either oneor both of the following two functions. That is, one of the twofunctions of the second function module 12 is a function of generatinginformation (hereinafter, referred to as characteristic selectioninformation) for selecting a display form of displaying, at the PC 3, awriting trace which is a trace of the position on the input surface 2 aindicated by the electronic stylus 1, and transmitting the generatedcharacteristic selection information to the PC 3 in this example. Forthis function, the second function module 12 includes an informationgeneration circuit that generates the characteristic selectioninformation and a transmission circuit that transmits the generatedcharacteristic selection information.

The display form of displaying a writing trace, includes lineattributes, such as the density of a line and the width of a line, ofthe writing trace and further includes a line format, such as a blur ofa writing trace line, corresponding to a characteristic of the core body111 and a characteristic of the material or the like of the inputsurface 2 a.

Further, the other one of the two functions of the second functionmodule 12 is a function of giving, via a casing of the electronic stylus1, a stimulus similar to that obtained during a writing input with a pentip of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1 being in contactwith the input surface 2 a, to a user who is holding the electronicstylus 1. In the present embodiment, for this second function, thesecond function module 12 includes a stimulus generation circuit thatgenerates a stimulus to be audibly and/or tactually perceived by theuser who is holding the electronic stylus 1. As an example of a sectionfor generating a stimulus that is audibly perceived, a loudspeaker isprovided. As an example of a section for generating a stimulus that istactually perceived, a vibrator is provided.

A drive source for driving the stimulus generation circuit is a drivesignal that is generated on the basis of the characteristic selectioninformation generated by the information generation circuit. Such adrive signal may be generated by the electronic stylus 1 or may beacquired from the PC 3. In the case where a drive signal is acquiredfrom the PC 3, the characteristic selection information generated by theinformation generation circuit is supplied to the PC 3, and the PC 3receives the characteristic selection information, generates a drivesignal on the basis of the characteristic selection information, andreturns the drive signal to the electronic stylus 1.

It is to be noted that a drive signal may be supplied to an electronicstylus other than the electronic stylus 1 having received thecharacteristic selection information. In such a case, a stimuluscorresponding to a characteristic of the core body and a characteristicof the input surface under the use state of the electronic stylus 1having generated the characteristic selection information is transmittedto the other electronic stylus.

The second function module 12 may have both of the above-describedfunctions of the information generation circuit and the stimulusgeneration circuit or may have either one of the two functions.

Since an extended function other than the position indicating functionis added to the electronic stylus 1, the second function module 12 isreferred to as the extension function module 12 in the followingexplanation.

Arrangement Example of Position Detection Module 11 and ExtensionFunction Module 12 in Electronic Stylus 1

FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining arrangement examples of theposition detection module 11 and the extension function module 12 in theelectronic stylus 1. The electronic stylus 1 includes a stick-like pencasing 13. The position detection module 11 and the extension functionmodule 12 are disposed side by side in an axial direction of thestick-like pen casing 13. In this case, the tip end 111 a of the corebody 111 which is included in the position detection module 11 isprojectable to an outside from an opening that is defined on one endside in the axial direction of the pen casing 13.

The electronic stylus 1 depicted in FIG. 2A has a structure in which theposition detection module 11 and the extension function module 12 areintegrally formed. In this case, the position detection module 11 andthe extension function module 12 may be disposed on a single circuitboard, or may be formed on different circuit boards and then be coupledinto an integrated structure.

Further, after being integrated, the position detection module 11 andthe extension function module 12 may be housed and fixed in the pencasing 13, or may be embedded and fixed in the pen casing 13. In thiscase, as depicted in FIG. 2A, the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 ofthe position detection module 11 is formed to be projected to theoutside from the opening that is defined on the one end side(hereinafter, referred to as the pen tip side) in the axial direction ofthe pen casing 13.

The extension function module 12 includes a start switch for actuatingthe extension function module 12. In FIG. 2A, when an operation part 14Athat is disposed on the electronic stylus 1 so as to be operated by theuser of the electronic stylus 1 is operated, the start switch is turnedon/off. In the example depicted in FIG. 2A, the operation part 14A isdisposed in a position, on an outer circumferential side surface of thepen casing 13, corresponding to a fixation position of the extensionfunction module 12 in the pen casing 13 in such a way that the user canoperate the operation part 14A. To input a position indication bybringing the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 of the positiondetection module 11 into contact with the input surface 2 a of thetablet 2, the user operates the operation part 14A to turn on the startswitch.

It is to be noted that the position detection module 11 and theextension function module 12 integrated together may be formed into acartridge that is attachable to/detachable from the pen casing 13. Inthis case, an operation part, which is omitted in the drawing, forturning on/off the start switch of the extension function module 12 isdisposed on the other end side (hereinafter, referred to as the tail endside) in the axial direction of the pen casing 13, and is connected toturn on/off the start switch of the extension function module 12 of thecartridge installed in the pen casing 13.

In addition, the cartridge including the position detection module 11and the extension function module 12 integrated together may beconnected to a knock mechanism part that is disposed on the casing ofthe electronic stylus 1 in such a way that, according to a knockingoperation performed by the user, the knock mechanism part causes the pentip side (the tip end 111 a of the core body 111) of the positiondetection module 11 to be projected to the outside from the openingdefined on the one end side in the axial direction of the pen casing 13.

Thus, in the case where the knock mechanism is used, the start switch ofthe extension function module 12 is formed to be automatically turnedon/off according to a knock operation performed by the user, in such amanner as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-184444, forexample, so that the start switch is on when the pen tip side of theposition detection module 11 is projected to the outside from theopening defined on the one end side in the axial direction of the pencasing 13.

Alternatively, the pen casing 13 may be sectioned into two portions inthe axial direction in such a way that one of the casing portions isrotatable with respect to the other casing portion, and the cartridgeincluding the position detection module 11 and the extension functionmodule 12 integrated together may be movable in the axial directionaccording to rotation of the one casing portion with respect to theother casing portion, so that the pen tip side of the position detectionmodule 11 is projected to the outside from the opening defined on theone end side in the axial direction of the pen casing 13.

Also in the case where such a rotation mechanism causes the pen tip sideof the position detection module 11 to be projected to the outside fromthe opening defined on the one end side in the axial direction of thepen casing 13, the start switch is automatically turned on/off accordingto a rotational operation performed by the user, in such a manner asdescribed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-184444, so that thestart switch is on when the pen tip side of the position detectionmodule 11 is projected to the outside from the opening defined on theone end side in the axial direction of the pen casing 13.

Next, in the electronic stylus 1 depicted in FIG. 2B, the positiondetection module 11 and the extension function module 12 are formedseparately from each other, and the extension function module 12 ishoused and fixed in the pen casing 13, or is embedded and fixed in thepen casing 13. In the present example, an operation part 14B is disposedin a position, on an outer circumferential side surface of the pencasing 13, corresponding to a position where the extension functionmodule 12 is fixed in the pen casing 13, as depicted in FIG. 2B in sucha way that the user can operate the operation part 14B. With use of theoperation part 14B, the start switch of the extension function module 12is turned on/off.

The position detection module 11 in the example of FIG. 2B may be housedand fixed in the pen casing 13 or be embedded and fixed in the pencasing 13, or may be attachable to/detachable from the pen casing 13.

In the electronic stylus 1 in the example of FIG. 2C, the positiondetection module 11 and the extension function module 12 are separatelyformed, and the extension function module 12 can be attached to/detachedfrom the pen casing 13 of the electronic stylus 1 in a state where acasing of the extension function module 12 is partially projected froman opening on the rear end side of the pen casing 13. Further, in thepresent example, an operation part 14C for turning on/off the startswitch of the extension function module 12 is disposed on a portion, ofthe casing of the extension function module 12, projected from the rearend side of the pen casing 13 of the electronic stylus 1, as depicted inFIG. 2C in such a way that the user can operate the operation part 14C.

Also in the example of FIG. 2C, the position detection module 11 may behoused and fixed in the pen casing 13 or be embedded and fixed in thepen casing 13, or may be attachable to/detachable from the pen casing13.

In the above-described examples of the electronic stylus 1, the positiondetection module 11 and the extension function module 12 are disposed inthe same pen casing 13 of the electronic stylus 1. However, the pencasing 13 may be divided into two portions, for example, a main bodycasing portion and a cap portion of the electronic stylus 1, in such amanner as to be connected together in the axial direction, and further,the position detection module 11 and the extension function module 12may be disposed in the two respective divided casing portions.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating an example of the electronicstylus 1 in which the pen casing 13 is divided into a main body casingportion 13M and a cap portion 13C. In the present example, the positiondetection module 11 is disposed in the main body casing portion 13Mwhile the extension function module 12 is disposed in the cap portion13C, as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The main body casing portion 13M of the present example has acylindrical shape having a predetermined outer diameter R with anopening 13Ma defined on one end side in the axial direction, as depictedin FIGS. 3A and 3B. Further, in a state where the tip end 111 a of thecore body 111 is projected from the opening 13Ma, the position detectionmodule 11 is disposed in the main body casing portion 13M. In thepresent example, the other end side in the axial direction of the mainbody casing portion 13M is closed.

In addition, the cap portion 13C includes a housing section 13Ca thathouses the extension function module 12, and a recess section 13Cb thatcovers one end side or a rear end side in the axial direction of themain body casing portion 13M, as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The innerdiameter of the recess section 13Cb is set to be slightly larger thanthe outer diameter R of the main body casing portion 13M. In the presentexample, a wall section 13Cc is disposed between the housing section13Ca and the recess section 13Cb. A press button 14D constituting theoperation part for turning on/off the start switch of the extensionfunction module 12 is disposed on the wall section 13Cc.

Further, a ring-like projection section 13Cd is formed in a position, onan inner circumferential wall surface of the recess section 13Cb of thecap portion 13C, spaced apart by a predetermined distance L1 from abottom surface of the recess section 13Cb. Ring-like grooves 13Mb and13Mc to be fitted to the ring-like projection section 13Cd of the capportion 13C are formed in the opening 13Ma side and the tail end side ofan outer circumferential side surface of the main body casing portion13M. As depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the ring-like groove 13Mb on theopening 13Ma side on the outer circumferential side surface of the mainbody casing portion 13M is formed in a position spaced apart by adistance L2 (<L1) from an end of the opening 13Ma, while the ring-likegroove 13Mc on the tail end side on the outer circumferential sidesurface of the main body casing portion 13M is formed in a positionspaced apart by a distance L3 (L2<L3<L1) from a tail end-side endsurface.

In this case, the distance L2 is defined such that, when the cap portion13C is put to cover the opening 13Ma side of the main body casingportion 13M and the ring-like projection section 13Cd of the cap portion13C is fitted and locked into the ring-like groove 13Mb on the opening13Ma side of the main body casing portion 13M, the press button 14D onthe wall section 13Cc on a bottom portion of the recess section 13Cb ofthe cap portion 13C is not pressed by the core body 111 of the positiondetection module 11 or by the opening 13Ma side of the main body casingportion 13M, as depicted in FIG. 3A.

In addition, the distance L3 is defined such that, when the cap portion13C is put to cover the tail end side of the main body casing portion13M and the ring-like projection section 13Cd of the cap portion 13C isfitted and locked into the ring-like groove 13Mc on the tail end side ofthe main body casing portion 13M, the press button 14D on the wallsection 13Cc on the bottom portion of the recess section 13Cb of the capportion 13C is pressed by the tail end-side end surface of the main bodycasing portion 13M, as depicted in FIG. 3B.

That is, when the cap portion 13C is put to cover the opening 13Ma sideof the main body casing portion 13M and is locked to the main bodycasing portion 13M, the press button 14D is not pressed. Accordingly,the off state of the start switch of the extension function module 12 iskept. When the cap portion 13C is put to cover the tail end side of themain body casing portion 13M and is locked to the main body casingportion 13M, the press button 14D is pressed. Accordingly, the startswitch of the extension function module 12 is turned on to actuate theextension function module 12.

Further, the cap portion 13C may be put to cover the tail end side ofthe main body casing portion 13M, and the cap portion 13C may be maderotatable with respect to the main body casing portion 13M, thecartridge including the position detection module 11 housed in the mainbody casing portion 13M may be movable in the axial direction accordingto rotation of the main body casing portion 13M with respect to the capportion 13C, and the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 of the positiondetection module 11 may be projected to the outside from the openingdefined on the one end side in the axial direction of the main bodycasing portion 13M.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a configuration example ofthe electronic stylus 1 having a configuration in which the tip end 111a of the core body 111 of the cartridge including the position detectionmodule 11 is projected in a rotational way. The electronic stylus 1 ofthe present example is formed by fitting a cap portion 13CR to a mainbody casing portion 13MR in a rotatable manner.

The position detection module 11 having the cartridge configuration isdisposed in the main body casing portion 13MR of the present example.Further, the main body casing portion 13MR includes on a tail end 13MRtside thereof a rotational projection mechanism portion 15 that rotatesthe cap portion 13CR with respect to the main body casing portion 13MRsuch that the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 of the positiondetection module 11 having the cartridge configuration is projected froman opening in the main body casing portion 13MR.

The rotational projection mechanism portion 15 is formed so as to bescrewed into the tail end 13MRt of the main body casing portion 13MR.When the rotational projection mechanism portion 15 is removed from themain body casing portion 13MR, the position detection module 11 havingthe cartridge configuration can be inserted into or removed from themain body casing portion 13MR. The tail end side of the positiondetection module 11 having the cartridge configuration is inserted tothe rotational projection mechanism portion 15 and is held therein. Thecap portion 13CR is rotatable with respect to the main body casingportion 13MR, while it is fitted to the rotational projection mechanismportion 15 to be able to impart rotation to the rotational projectionmechanism portion 15.

The extension function module 12 is disposed in the cap portion 13CR, asin the above-described examples. The cap portion 13CR includes a fittingsection 13CRa that is fitted to the rotational projection mechanismportion 15 when the cap portion 13CR is put to cover the tail end sideof the main body casing portion 13MR. Therefore, when the cap portion13CR is rotated as indicated by an arrow AR in FIG. 4A, the rotationalprojection mechanism portion 15 is also rotated to cause the tip end 111a of the core body 111 of the position detection module 11 having thecartridge configuration to be projected from the opening in the mainbody casing portion 13MR.

Further, in the electronic stylus 1 of the present example, a permanentmagnet 16 a is provided on the tail end 13MRt side of the main bodycasing portion 13MR while a magnetic sensor 16 b is provided on the capportion 13CR such that the permanent magnet 16 a and the magnetic sensor16 b come close to each other when the cap portion 13CR is rotated, asdepicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Further, the magnetic sensor 16 b isconnected to a control circuit for performing control to turn on/off thestart switch disposed on the extension function module 12 in the capportion 13CR.

Further, in the electronic stylus 1 of the present example, in a statewhere the position detection module 11 including the tip end 111 a ofthe core body 111 is fully housed in the main body casing portion 13MR,the permanent magnet 16 a and the magnetic sensor 16 b are relativelydistant from each other, as depicted in FIG. 4A. Therefore, the magneticsensor 16 b does not detect a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 16a, and the level of a sensor output of the magnetic sensor 16 b becomeslow. Accordingly, the start switch of the extension function module 12enters an off state.

In this state, when the cap portion 13CR is rotated to cause the tip end111 a of the core body 111 of the position detection module 11 to beprojected from the main body casing portion 13MR, the permanent magnet16 a and the magnetic sensor 16 b come close to each other. Therefore,the magnetic sensor 16 b detects the magnetic flux of the permanentmagnet 16 a, and the level of the sensor output of the magnetic sensor16 b becomes high. Accordingly, the start switch of the extensionfunction module 12 is turned on, and the extension function module 12enters an actuated state. That is, in the electronic stylus 1 of thepresent example, when the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 of theposition detection module 11 is projected from the main body casingportion 13MR and a position indication input is enabled, the startswitch is turned on, and also, the extension function module 12 entersan actuated state.

It is to be noted that the configuration for detecting the rotationalposition of the cap portion 13CR with respect to the main body casingportion 13MR is not limited to the configuration using a magnet and amagnetic sensor. For example, in place of the magnetic sensor, a switchmember that is turned on/off when the cap portion 13CR is rotated fromthe state in FIG. 4A to the state depicted in FIG. 4B may be provided tothe cap portion 13CR such that the control circuit of the extensionfunction module 12 controls the on/off state of the start switch bymonitoring the on/off state of the switch member.

Material of Casing of Electronic Stylus

Next, the pen casing 13, the main body casing portion 13M or 13MR, andthe cap portion 13C or 13CR of the electronic stylus 1 are formed fromresin. However, wood may be used instead. Alternatively, a combinationof resin and wood may be used. Also, metal may partially be used.

For example, a wooden material depicted in FIG. 5 can be used for theone pen casing 13 in which the position detection module 11 and theextension function module 12 are disposed, as depicted in FIGS. 2A to2C.

In the example in FIG. 5 , casing halves 13W1 and 13W2 are formed bysplitting a columnar wooden material having a hexagonal cross sectioninto equal two parts along an axial direction (along a cut surfacepassing through an axial center). In respective cut end surfaces of thecasing halves 13W1 and 13W2, recesses 13W1 a and 13W2 a each having atransverse cross section that is semicircular about the axial center ofthe original hexagonal column are formed along the axial direction.

Then, the cut end surfaces of the casing halves 13W1 and 13W2 are bondedtogether to form a pen casing 13W having a columnar hollow portion 13W3formed of the recesses 13W1 a and 13W2 a, as depicted in a crosssectional view in FIG. 6A. Then, the position detection module 11 andthe extension function module 12 are arranged side by side in the axialdirection in the columnar hollow portion 13W3 of the pen casing 13W, asdepicted in FIG. 6A. In the present example, the position detectionmodule 11 and the extension function module 12 are formed into acartridge configuration in which the components of the positiondetection module 11 and the extension function module 12 are housed inrespective long stick-like casings 11K and 12K.

In this case, at a midpoint in the axial direction of the columnarhollow portion of the pen casing 13W, a locking portion 17 for lockingthe position detection module 11 and the extension function module 12 inthe pen casing 13W is fixed so as not to move in the axial direction inthe pen casing 13W, as depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

In the present example, the locking portion 17 has, on the positiondetection module 11 side, a fitting projection 17 a to be fitted to afitting recess 11 p that is disposed on the tail end of the casing 11Kof the position detection module 11. The locking portion 17 further has,on the extension function module 12 side, a fitting projection 17 b tobe fitted to a fitting recess 12 p that is disposed on the tail end sideof the electronic stylus 1 in the casing 12K of the extension functionmodule 12.

Therefore, in the electronic stylus 1 of the present example, when theposition detection module 11 is inserted and pushed, from the fittingrecess 11 p side, into an opening on the pen tip side of the wooden pencasing 13W, the fitting recess 11 p is fitted to the fitting projection17 a of the locking portion 17. Accordingly, the position detectionmodule 11 is locked in the pen casing 13W. In the locked state, aportion of the tip end side of the casing 11K of the position detectionmodule 11 and the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 are projected tothe outside from the pen casing 13W. It is to be noted that, when theprojected portion is grasped and pulled, the position detection module11 is removed from the pen casing 13W. That is, the position detectionmodule 11 is exchangeable.

In addition, when the extension function module 12 is inserted andpushed, from the fitting recess 12 p side, into an opening on the tailend side of the wooden pen casing 13W, the fitting recess 12 p is fittedto the fitting projection 17 b of the locking portion 17, and theextension function module 12 is locked in the pen casing 13W. Further,in the present example, the start switch disposed on the extensionfunction module 12, which is not depicted in the drawing, is turned onwhen the fitting recess 12 p is fitted to the fitting projection 17 b ofthe locking portion 17, and thus, the extension function module 12becomes operable.

Further, a fitting recess is disposed in an end surface, of theextension function module 12, exposed to the tail end side of the pencasing 13W. An extraction tool is fitted into the fitting recess andthen is pulled, so that the extension function module 12 is removed fromthe pen casing 13W. That is, the extension function module 12 isexchangeable. It is to be noted that the extension function module 12may be configured such that a part of the tail end side thereof isprojected to the outside from the tail end side of the pen casing 13W inthe locked state. In this case, when the projected portion may begrasped and pulled, the extension function module 12 can be removed fromthe pen casing 13W.

In addition, for example, the structure for turning on/off the startswitch of the extension function module 12 is not limited to theabove-described examples. For example, an operation part for turningon/off the start switch of the extension function module 12 may beprovided on the tail end side of the extension function module 12 insuch a manner as to be projected from the tail end side of the pencasing 13W. The operation part may be depressed, for example, to turnon/off the start switch of the extension function module 12.

It is to be noted that, in the examples in FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIG. 7 ,the fitting projections 17 a and 17 b are provided to the lockingportion 17 while the fitting recesses 11 p and 12 p are provided to theposition detection module 11 and the extension function module 12.However, the fitting recesses may be provided to the locking portion 17while the fitting projections may be provided to the position detectionmodule 11 and the extension function module 12. Alternatively, a fittingrecess may be provided to either one of the position detection module 11and the extension function module 12 while a fitting projection may beprovided to the other module, and a corresponding fitting projection anda corresponding fitting recess may be provided to the locking portion17.

In some cases, electronic circuits included in the position detectionmodule 11 and the extension function module 12 each need to receivesupply of a power source voltage. If this is taken into consideration, abattery 17E may be disposed in the locking portion 17 as depicted inFIG. 7 , and the fitting recess 11 p in the position detection module 11and the fitting projection 17 a on the locking portion 17 may includeconductive bodies, for example, conductive metal. Further, the fittingrecess 12 p in the extension function module 12 and the fittingprojection 17 b on the locking portion 17 may include conductive bodies,for example, conductive metal. Accordingly, a power source voltage canbe supplied from the battery 17E to the position detection module 11 andthe extension function module 12.

It is to be noted that the electronic circuit of the position detectionmodule 11 may have a structure that does not need to receive supply of apower source voltage. In this case, the fitting recess 11 p in theposition detection module 11 and the fitting projection 17 a on thelocking portion 17 do not necessarily include conductive bodies.

The battery 17E may be a primary battery or may be a rechargeablesecondary battery. In the case where the battery 17E is a secondarybattery, a charging electrode may be disposed on an outercircumferential side surface of the pen casing 13W. In addition, thebattery 17E which is a secondary battery may be charged in a non-contactmanner through electromagnetic induction, field induction, or the like.

Configuration Example of Position Detection Module 11

The position detection module 11 may adopt an electromagnetic inductionmethod or a capacitance method.

Example of Electromagnetic Induction Method

FIG. 8 depicts a configuration example of a position detection module11M which is of the electromagnetic induction method. The positiondetection module 11M of the present example includes a coil 113M that iswound around a magnetic core which is, for example, a ferrite core 112M,a pen pressure detector 114M, and a circuit board 115M. The ferrite core112M has a through hole (not depicted) extending in the axial direction.A core body 111M is inserted through the through hole. Further, an endopposite to a tip end 111Ma of the core body 111M inserted in thethrough hole of the ferrite core 112M is fitted to the pen pressuredetector 114M. The core body 111M includes a non-conductive material,for example, resin.

The pen pressure detector 114M detects a pressure (pen pressure) beingapplied to the tip end 111Ma of the core body 111M during a writinginput with the tip end 111Ma of the core body 111M being in contact withthe input surface 2 a of the tablet 2. In the present example, the penpressure detector 114M includes a well-known device that detects such apressure as a capacitance change.

A capacitor 116M is disposed on the circuit board 115M as depicted inFIG. 9 . The capacitor 116M and the coil 113M constitute a resonancecircuit. In the present example, a resonance circuit RC1 on which thecapacitor 116M and a variable capacitance capacitor 114MC including thepen pressure detector 114M are connected in parallel with the coil 113M,as depicted in FIG. 9 , is formed on the circuit board 115M.

Further, the position detection module 11M of the electromagneticinduction method may be configured to supply a signal corresponding toan on/off operation of a side switch which can be operated by the user,to the position detection sensor of the tablet 2. FIG. 10 is a diagramdepicting a configuration example of the position detection module 11Mhaving a side switch.

Specifically, a side switch 118 is provided on the pen casing 13 of theelectronic stylus 1 of the present example, and further, as a member forshifting a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RC1 in theposition detection module 11M, a coil 117 that can magnetically becoupled with the coil 113M of the resonance circuit in the positiondetection module 11M so as to establish mutual induction coupling isdisposed on an outer circumference of the pen tip side of the pen casing13, as depicted in FIG. 10 . The side switch 118 is configured to beturned on when an operation part 118 a is pressed down. The side switch118 is connected between one end 117 a and the other end 117 b of thecoil 117. It is to be noted that, in the present example, a capacitor isdisposed in series with the side switch 118.

FIG. 11 is a diagram depicting a circuit configuration example of theelectronic stylus 1 including the position detection module 11M in FIG.10 , and a circuit configuration example of a position detection device200M of the tablet 2 that conducts position detection by beingelectromagnetically coupled with the electronic stylus 1.

Specifically, the electronic stylus 1 includes, as a circuitconfiguration of the position detection module 11M, the first resonancecircuit RC1 that is formed by connecting the coil 113M, the capacitor116M, and the variable capacitance capacitor 114MC including the penpressure detector 114M in parallel. In addition, the side switch 118 anda capacitor 119 are connected between the one end 117 a and the otherend 117 b of the coil 117 disposed in the casing 13 of the electronicstylus 1. When the side switch 118 is turned on, a closed circuit of asecond resonance circuit RC2 that includes the coil 117 and thecapacitor 119 is generated. However, to form the closed circuit, it maybe sufficient to connect the one end and the other end of the coil 117by turning on the side switch 118 without providing the capacitor 119.

When the side switch 118 in the electronic stylus 1 is off, the secondresonance circuit RC2 is not formed, so that the closed circuit forapplying a current to the coil 117 is not formed. In this case, a mutualinduction action does not occur between the coil 113M of the firstresonance circuit RC1 of the position detection module 11M of theelectronic stylus 1 and the coil 117 of the second resonance circuitRC2. Therefore, a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit RC1 ofthe position detection module 11M of the electronic stylus 1 becomesequal to a frequency f1 that is determined by the coil 113M, thecapacitor 116M, and the variable capacitance capacitor 114MC.

On the other hand, when the side switch 118 in the electronic stylus 1is turned on by a user's operation, the resonance circuit RC2 includingthe coil 117 and the capacitor 119 is generated, and the closed circuitfor causing a current to flow through the coil 117 is formed.Accordingly, the resonance frequency of the first resonance circuit RC1of the position detection module 11M of the electronic stylus 1 causes amutual induction action between the coil 113M and the coil 117 of thesecond resonance circuit RC2. Consequently, the resonance frequency ofthe first resonance circuit RC1 of the position detection module 11M ofthe electronic stylus 1 becomes equal to a frequency f2 that isdifferent from the frequency f1.

The position detection device 200M includes a position detection sensor201 of the electromagnetic induction method and a position detectioncircuit 202. The position detection sensor 201 is formed by layering anX-axis direction loop coil group 201X and a Y-axis direction loop coilgroup 201Y.

The position detection circuit 202 includes an oscillator 204, a currentdriver 205, a selection circuit 206, a switch connection circuit 207, areception amplifier 208, a position detection circuit 209, a penpressure detection circuit 210, a side-switch operation detectioncircuit 211, and a control circuit 212. The control circuit 212 includesa microprocessor. The control circuit 212 controls the selection circuit206 to select a loop coil, and controls the switch connection circuit207 to perform switching, and further, controls processing timings ofthe position detection circuit 209 and the pen pressure detectioncircuit 210.

Further, the X-axis direction loop coil group 201X and the Y-axisdirection loop coil group 201Y of the position detection sensor 201 areconnected to the selection circuit 206. The selection circuit 206sequentially selects one loop coil from the two loop coil groups 201Xand 201Y. The oscillator 204 generates an alternating-current (AC)signal having a frequency f0. The oscillator 204 supplies the generatedAC signal to the current driver 205 and the pen pressure detectioncircuit 210. The current driver 205 converts the AC signal supplied bythe oscillator 204 to a current and sends the current to the switchconnection circuit 207.

The switch connection circuit 207 switches a connection destination (atransmission-side terminal T, a reception-side terminal R) of the loopcoil selected by the selection circuit 206, under control of the controlcircuit 212. The current driver 205 is connected to thetransmission-side terminal T which is one of the connectiondestinations, while the reception amplifier 208 is connected to thereception-side terminal R which is the other connection destination. Ina case where a signal is transmitted from the position detection sensor201, the switch connection circuit 207 is switched to the terminal Tside. On the other hand, in a case where the position detection sensor201 receives a signal from an outside, the switch connection circuit 207is switched to the terminal R side.

In the case where the switch connection circuit 207 is switched to theterminal T side, a current is supplied from the current driver 205 tothe loop coil selected by the selection circuit 206. As a result, amagnetic field is generated in the loop coil. Accordingly, transmissionof a signal (radio wave) to be applied to the corresponding firstresonance circuit RC1 of the position detection module 11M of theelectronic stylus 1 becomes possible.

On the other hand, in the case where the switch connection circuit 207is switched to the terminal R side, an induction voltage generated atthe loop coil selected by the selection circuit 206 is transmitted tothe reception amplifier 208 via the selection circuit 206 and the switchconnection circuit 207. The reception amplifier 208 amplifies theinduction voltage supplied from the loop coil and sends the amplifiedvoltage to the position detection circuit 209, the pen pressuredetection circuit 210, and the side-switch operation detection circuit211.

That is, at each of the loop coils in the X-axis direction loop coilgroup 201X and the Y-axis direction loop coil group 201Y, an inductionvoltage is generated by radio waves sent (returned) from the firstresonance circuit RC1 of the position detection module 11M of theelectronic stylus 1.

Regarding a resonance frequency component of the first resonance circuitRC1 of the position detection module 11M of the electronic stylus 1, theposition detection circuit 209 detects an induction voltage generated ata loop coil, or detects a received signal, and then, converts an outputsignal of the detected signal to a digital signal and outputs thedigital signal to the control circuit 212.

On the basis of digital signals regarding resonance frequency componentssupplied from the position detection circuit 209, or voltage valuelevels of induction voltages generated in the respective loop coils, thecontrol circuit 212 calculates values of the X-axis and Y-axiscoordinates of a position indicated by the tip end 111Ma of the corebody 111M of the position detection module 11M of the electronic stylus1.

The pen pressure detection circuit 210 detects a reception signalsupplied from the reception amplifier 208 in synchronization with an ACsignal supplied from the oscillator 204, and detects a pen pressurebeing applied to the tip end 111Ma of the core body 111M of the positiondetection module 11M of the electronic stylus 1 on the basis of afrequency deviation (phase difference) between these signals.

The side-switch operation detection circuit 211 detects the resonancefrequency of the first resonance circuit RC1 of the position detectionmodule 11M of the electronic stylus 1 on the basis of the frequency ofan output signal supplied from the reception amplifier 208, and detectswhether or not the detected frequency is a resonance frequency of theoff time of the side switch 118 or a resonance frequency of the on timeof the side switch 118. The side-switch operation detection circuit 211outputs the detection result to the control circuit 212. The controlcircuit 212 detects whether the side switch 118 is in an on state or anoff state on the basis of the output from the side-switch operationdetection circuit 211.

The control circuit 212 transmits, as an output of the tablet 2,information regarding the coordinate values of the detected positionindicated by the electronic stylus 1, the pen pressure value, and thedetection result as to whether the side switch 118 is on/off, to the PC3.

In the above-described example of the electronic stylus 1, even with theposition detection module 11M having the cartridge configuration to behoused in the pen casing 13, the side switch 118 can be disposed on theelectronic stylus 1.

The position detection module 11M of the electromagnetic inductionmethod having been described so far does not require a power source. Inthis configuration, a pen pressure detection output from the penpressure detector 114M is detected, as a change in the resonancefrequency of the resonance circuit RC1, by the position detectiondevice. In contrast, the position detection module 11M of theelectromagnetic induction method can also be configured to convert a penpressure detection output from the pen pressure detector 114M into adigital value, for example, and transmit the digital value to theposition detection device 200M side. In this case, a control circuit forachieving this needs to be provided to the position detection module11M, and also a power source voltage is required. A battery may bedisposed to generate a power source voltage for the position detectionmodule 11M. However, if a configuration which will described below isachieved, the power source voltage may be generated by energy supplyfrom the position detection sensor side without any battery.

FIG. 12 depicts a configuration example of an electronic circuit 40 ofthe circuit board 115M of the position detection module 11M in the abovecase. In the present example, a resonance circuit 40R of the positiondetection module 11M of the electronic stylus 1 is configured toexchange a signal for position detection by being electromagneticallyinduction-coupled with a conductor of the position detection sensor ofthe tablet 2, and to transmit pen pressure information detected by thepen pressure detector 114M and identification information on theposition detection module 11M (hereinafter, the identificationinformation on the position detection module 11M is referred to asidentification information ID1) to the position detection sensor 201 ofthe tablet 2.

Specifically, in the electronic circuit 40, the resonance circuit 40R isformed by connecting the capacitor 116M in parallel with the coil 113Mas depicted in FIG. 12 . The electronic circuit 40 includes a controlcircuit 401 that controls transmission of the pen pressure informationand the identification information as additional information, asdepicted in FIG. 12 . In the present example, the control circuit 401 isformed as an integrated circuit (IC).

The IC forming the control circuit 401 is configured to operate with apower source Vcc obtained by rectifying, through a rectification circuit(power source supply circuit) 404 including a diode 402 and a capacitor403, an AC signal received, as a result of electromagnetic coupling, bythe resonance circuit 40R from the position detection sensor 201 of thetablet 2.

In the present example, a switch circuit 405 that is normally in an openstate (normal open state) is disposed between the resonance circuit 40Rand the rectification circuit 404. In addition, a switch control circuit406 that generates a switch control signal for turning on the switchcircuit 405 by using an AC signal received through the resonance circuit40R from the position detection sensor 201 of the tablet 2 is disposed.When the electronic stylus 1 is brought close to the tablet 2, theswitch circuit 405 is turned on by the switch control signal suppliedfrom the switch control circuit 406, and the power source voltage Vcc isgenerated from the rectification circuit 404, so that the controlcircuit 401 enters an operating state.

In the present example, a switch circuit 407 the on/off state of whichis controlled by the control circuit 401 is connected in parallel withthe resonance circuit 40R including the coil 113M and the capacitor116M. The control circuit 401 receives a timing signal transmitted fromthe tablet 2, via a capacitor 408 and controls operation/non-operationof the resonance circuit 40R by controlling the on/off state of theswitch circuit 407 on the basis of the timing signal. Accordingly, thecontrol circuit 401 transmits additional information which is digitalinformation in a manner that will be described later.

Further, in the present example, a variable capacitance capacitor 114MCincluding the pen pressure detector 114M is connected to the controlcircuit 401, and a resistor R is connected in parallel with the variablecapacitance capacitor 114MC, as depicted in FIG. 12 . After charging thevariable capacitance capacitor 114MC, the control circuit 401 causes thevariable capacitance capacitor 114MC to be discharged through theresistor R, and measures a period of time required till the both-endvoltage of the variable capacitance capacitor 114MC reaches apredetermined threshold. Accordingly, the capacitance of the variablecapacitance capacitor 114MC is measured.

The control circuit 401 calculates a pen pressure value from themeasured value of the capacitance in the variable capacitance capacitor114MC. Then, the control circuit 401 converts information regarding thecalculated pen pressure value to a digital signal of multiple bits tocontrol the on/off state of the switch circuit 407. Accordingly, thecontrol circuit 401 converts the information regarding the pen pressurevalue to an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation signal or an on offkeying (OOK) modulation signal and transmits the modulation signal tothe tablet 2 at a timing that is temporally separated from a timing of aposition detection signal.

In the present example, an ID memory 409 is connected to the controlcircuit 401. The ID memory 409 stores, as identification informationID11M on the position detection module 11M, a unique digital signal ofmultiple bits including a manufacturer number and a product number, forexample.

The control circuit 401 reads out the identification information ID11Mstored in the ID memory 409 and controls the on/off state of the switchcircuit 407. Accordingly, the control circuit 401 converts theidentification information ID11M to an ASK modulation signal or an OOKmodulation signal. The control circuit 401 transmits the modulationsignal to the tablet 2 at a timing different from the timings of theabove-described position detection signal and the pen pressure valueinformation.

Example of Capacitance Method

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a configuration example of a position detectionmodule 11C of the capacitance method. In the present example, theposition detection module 11C includes a core body 111C formed from aconductive material, for example, conductive metal, a pen pressuredetector 114C, and a signal transmission circuit 115C. Further, in thepresent example, a primary battery 116CE is disposed as a power sourcecircuit 116C. In the present example, the signal transmission circuit115C includes an LC oscillation circuit that uses resonance between acoil and a capacitor.

An end opposite to a tip end 111Ca of the core body 111C is fitted tothe pen pressure detector 114C. The pen pressure detector 114C detects apressure (pen pressure) being applied to the tip end 111Ca of the corebody 111C during a writing input with the tip end 111Ca of the core body111C being in contact with the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2. In thepresent example, the pen pressure detector 114C includes a well-knownunit that detects a capacitance change, like the pen pressure detector114M.

A variable capacitance capacitor 114CC including the pen pressuredetector 114C is connected to the signal transmission circuit 115C. Theresonance frequency of the LC resonance circuit forming the signaltransmission circuit 115C varies according to the capacitance in thevariable capacitance capacitor 114CC. Specifically, the frequency of afrequency signal outputted from the signal transmission circuit 115Cvaries according to the capacitance in the variable capacitancecapacitor 114CC.

In the present example, a power source voltage is supplied from theprimary battery 116CE to the signal transmission circuit 115C, and asignal output end of the signal transmission circuit 115C is connectedto the core body 111C including a conductive material.

The electronic stylus 1 including the position detection module 11C ofthe example in FIG. 13B transmits a frequency signal supplied from thesignal transmission circuit 115C, to the position detection sensor of acapacitance-method position detection device of the tablet 2 through thecore body 111C.

FIGS. 14A and 14B depict another example of the position detectionmodule 11C of the capacitance method. In this example, in place of aprimary battery, an electric double layer capacitor 1161 that is chargedby a charging circuit of the electromagnetic induction method is used asthe power source circuit 116C.

That is, in the position detection module 11C of the present example, acoil 113C is wound around a magnetic core, for example, a ferrite core112C, having a through hole for allowing the core body 111C to passtherethrough as depicted in FIG. 14A. The core body 111C is fitted tothe pen pressure detector 114C through the through hole in the ferritecore 112C.

When the electronic stylus 1 is mounted on a charger (not depicted), aninduced electromotive force is generated in the coil 113C of theposition detection module 11C by an alternate magnetic field generatedby the charger. Accordingly, the electric double layer capacitor 1161 ischarged via a diode 1162 as depicted in FIG. 14B. Then, a voltageconversion circuit 1163 converts a voltage stored in the electric doublelayer capacitor 1161 to a constant voltage and supplies the constantvoltage for a power source for the signal transmission circuit 115C. Thesignal transmission circuit 115C having received the power sourcetransmits a signal of a predetermined frequency to the positiondetection sensor of the position detection device of the capacitancemethod of the tablet 2 through the core body 111C.

FIG. 15 is a diagram depicting a circuit configuration example of aposition detection device 200C of the tablet 2 for conducting positiondetection by establishing capacitive coupling with the electronic stylus1 including the position detection module 11C of the present example.

The position detection device 200C of the present example includes aposition detection sensor 220 of the capacitance method and a positiondetection circuit 230 that is connected to the position detection sensor220, as depicted in FIG. 15 . The position detection sensor 220 includesa first conductor group in which a plurality of first conductors 221Y₁,221Y₂, . . . , and 221Y_(m) (m is an integer of 1 or greater) extendingin a transverse direction (X-axis direction) in the present example arearranged in parallel at predetermined intervals in the Y-axis direction,and a second conductor group in which a plurality of second conductors222X₁, 222X₂, . . . , and 222X_(n) (n is an integer of 1 or greater)extending in a direction intersecting the extension direction of thefirst conductors 221Y₁ to 221Y_(m), in the present example, extending ina longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the extensiondirection of the first conductors 221Y₁ to 221Y_(m), are arranged atpredetermined intervals in the X-axis direction, for example.

In the following explanation, if the first conductors 221Y₁ to 221Y_(m)are not necessarily differentiated from one another, each of them isreferred to as a first conductor 221Y. Similarly, if the secondconductors 222X₁ to 222X_(n) are not necessarily differentiated from oneanother, each of them is referred to as a second conductor 222X.

The position detection circuit 230 includes a selection circuit 231 thatserves as an input/output interface with respect to the positiondetection sensor 220, a position detection circuit 232, a pen pressuredetection circuit 233, and a control circuit 234.

The selection circuit 231 selects one conductor 221Y or 222X from thefirst conductor group or the second conductor group on the basis of acontrol signal supplied from the control circuit 234. The positiondetection circuit 232 extracts, for the conductor selected by theselection circuit 231, only a frequency component of a signaltransmitted from the position detection module 11C of the electronicstylus 1 and outputs information corresponding to a signal level of theextracted frequency component, to the control circuit 234. The controlcircuit 234 calculates the coordinates of a position, on the positiondetection sensor 220, indicated by the tip end 111Ca of the core body111C of the position detection module 11C of the electronic stylus 1 onthe basis of the information corresponding to the signal level suppliedfrom the position detection circuit 232.

The pen pressure detection circuit 233 detects the frequency of afrequency signal transmitted from the position detection module 11C ofthe electronic stylus 1 and supplies information regarding the detectedfrequency to the control circuit 234. On the basis of the frequencyinformation transmitted from the pen pressure detection circuit 233, thecontrol circuit 234 calculates a pen pressure value detected by the penpressure detector 114C.

Then, the control circuit 234 supplies, to the PC 3, the pen pressurevalue and the calculated coordinate value of the position indicated bythe electronic stylus 1.

It is to be noted that, in the above-described position detection module11C of the capacitance method, pen pressure value information istransmitted, as a frequency change of a frequency signal supplied fromthe signal transmission circuit 115C, to the tablet 2. However, the penpressure value information may be transmitted to the position detectiondevice of the tablet 2 by ASK modulation or OOK modulation of afrequency signal supplied from the signal transmission circuit 115C, inthe same manner as in the electronic circuit of the position detectionmodule 11M of the electromagnetic induction method in the example inFIG. 12 . In addition, the identification information ID11C on theposition detection module 11C also can be transmitted to the positiondetection device of the tablet 2 by ASK modulation or OOK modulation ofa frequency signal supplied from the signal transmission circuit 115C.

It is to be noted that, in the case where the electronic stylus 1 usingthe position detection module 11C of the capacitance method uses an LCoscillation circuit as the signal transmission circuit 115C, the coil117 and the side switch 118 are disposed around the casing 13 of theelectronic stylus 1, as depicted in FIG. 10 , so that the frequency of afrequency signal supplied from the signal transmission circuit 115C alsocan be changed according to the on/off state of the side switch 118.Therefore, a configuration having a side switch can be achieved.

It is to be noted that, in the above-described position detection module11M and the above-described position detection module 11C, additionalinformation such as pen pressure value information and identificationinformation ID11M or ID11C may be transmitted, separately from aposition detection signal, to the tablet 2 through a wirelesscommunication circuit that is provided by Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) standard, for example. In this case, however, the positiondetection module 11M also requires a power source circuit.

Configuration Example of Extension Function Module 12

Next, a configuration example of the extension function module 12 willbe explained. FIG. 16 is a block diagram depicting a configurationexample of the extension function module 12. The extension functionmodule 12 in the example of FIG. 16 includes an information generationcircuit 121 that generates characteristic selection information and awireless communication circuit 122 that is an example of a transmissioncircuit that transmits the generated characteristic selectioninformation, as previously described. In addition, in the presentexample, the extension function module 12 includes a stimulus generationcircuit 123. In the present example, the extension function module 12further includes an ID memory 124 that stores identification informationon the extension function module 12 (hereinafter, referred to asidentification information ID2 on the extension function module 12). Theidentification information ID2 stored in the ID memory 124 is uniqueinformation including a manufacturer number and a product number, forexample.

The extension function module 12 of the present example is formed byconnecting the information generation circuit 121, the wirelesscommunication circuit 122, the stimulus generation circuit 123, and theID memory 124 to a control circuit 120 that controls the generaloperation of the extension function module 12. The control circuit 120includes a microprocessor and is configured t circuit o execute controloperation processing in accordance with a previously-installed softwareprogram.

The control circuit 120, the information generation circuit 121, and thewireless communication circuit 122 constitute a first function circuit.In addition, the control circuit 120, the information generation circuit121, and the stimulus generation circuit 123, or the control circuit120, the wireless communication circuit 122, and the stimulus generationcircuit 123 constitute a second function circuit. It is to be noted thata texture detector 10TX, which will be explained later, the controlcircuit 120, and the stimulus generation circuit 123 constitute thesecond function circuit, in another case.

A power source circuit 125 is provided to the extension function module12 of the present example. A power source voltage Vcc generated by thepower source circuit 125 is supplied to each of the control circuit 120,the information generation circuit 121, the wireless communicationcircuit 122, the stimulus generation circuit 123, and the ID memory 124.The power source circuit 125 includes a power storage element which is aprimary battery or a rechargeable secondary battery, not depicted inFIG. 16 . In the example in FIG. 16 , a start switch including a powersource switch 14S is connected to the power source circuit 125. When thepower source switch 14S is turned on, the power source circuit 125 isstarted to supply the power source voltage Vcc to the above-describedcircuits. Accordingly, operation of the extension function module 12 isstarted.

It is to be noted that both the information generation circuit 121 andthe stimulus generation circuit 123 are not necessarily mounted on theextension function module 12. It is sufficient to provide either one ofthe circuits to the extension function module 12. Also, the ID memory124 is not necessarily disposed, and can be omitted. Moreover, withoutproviding the wireless communication circuit 122, wired connection maybe used to transmit the generated characteristic selection informationto the PC 3.

A writing trace of a writing tool depends on a characteristic of a pentip of the writing tool and a characteristic of a writing medium such asa paper sheet on which writing is performed. Therefore, in the presentembodiment, the information generation circuit 121 generates, ascharacteristic selection information for selecting a display form ofdisplaying a writing trace, information corresponding to acharacteristic of the core body 111, particularly, of the tip end 111 a,to be brought into contact with the input surface 2 a and correspondingto a characteristic of the input surface 2 a. In this case, thecharacteristic selection information may be generated as information(referred to as actual characteristic selection information) that isacquired during an actual writing input with the electronic stylus 1being in contact with the input surface 2 a.

In the present example, motion of the tip end 111 a of the core body 111of the electronic stylus 1 during an actual writing input with theelectronic stylus 1 being in contact with the input surface 2 a isacquired as the actual characteristic selection information. Therefore,in the present example, the information generation circuit 121 includesmotion sensors for detecting motion that corresponds to motion of thetip end 111 a of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1. As themotion sensors of the present example, a gyro sensor (angular velocitysensor) 1211 and an acceleration sensor 1212 are provided. It is to benoted that the actual characteristic selection information is alsoactual characteristic correspondence information including informationregarding motion corresponding to an actual characteristic of the tipend 111 a of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1 during anactual writing input with the electronic stylus 1 being in contact withthe input surface 2 a.

For example, when the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 havingcharacteristics such as predetermined hardness, a predetermined shape, apredetermined width, a predetermined size, and a predetermined materialis used to input a position indication on the input surface 2 a havingcharacteristics such as predetermined surface roughness, a predeterminedthickness, and predetermined hardness and a material-uniquecharacteristic, the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 moves accordingto the characteristics of the input surface 2 a. The gyro sensor 1211and the acceleration sensor 1212 each detect motion corresponding tomotion of the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 and supply a detectionoutput of the detected motion to the control circuit 120.

The control circuit 120 converts, as actual characteristic selectioninformation, the motion detection outputs of the gyro sensor 1211 andthe acceleration sensor 1222 received from the information generationcircuit 121 to transmission signals to be transmitted to the PC3, andtransmits the transmission signals to the PC 3 via the wirelesscommunication circuit 122. It is to be noted that a motion detectionoutput to be transmitted via the wireless communication circuit 122 ofthe extension function module 12 is synchronized with a writing inputoperation that is performed with the core body 111 of the positiondetection module 11 being in contact with the input surface of theposition detection sensor. Therefore, it is obvious that the motiondetection output is also timing-synchronized with pen pressure valueinformation and a coordinate output to be transmitted to the PC 3through the tablet 2.

The control circuit 120 of the present example generates a transmissionsignal that includes the identification information ID2 read from the IDmemory 124. The PC 3 side may recognize the identification informationID2 as identification information on the extension function module 12,and further may recognize the identification information ID2 asidentification information on the electronic stylus 1 if theidentification information ID1 is not transmitted from the positiondetection module 11 to the PC 3 through the tablet 2. In the case wherethe identification information ID1 is transmitted from the positiondetection module 11 to the PC 3 through the tablet 2, the identificationinformation ID1 and the identification information ID2 are recognized,by the PC 3, as identification information (position detection moduleID) regarding the position detection module 11 and identificationinformation (extension function module ID) on the extension functionmodule 12, respectively.

The PC 3 executes a process of, for example, reflecting the receivedactual characteristic selection information in a writing trace which isdisplayed as a time-series change of a position indicated by theelectronic stylus 1 received from the tablet 2. In this case, the actualcharacteristic selection information is used as actual characteristiccorrespondence information including information regarding motion of thepen tip corresponding to an actual characteristic.

Further, the PC 3 uses identification information (the pen ID, theposition detection module ID, and the extension function module ID)received from the electronic stylus 1, as information for determining aspecific display attribute (e.g., the color, density, or thickness of awriting trace to be displayed) for displaying a writing trace of theelectronic stylus 1 on a display screen of the PC 3, or as informationfor determining a specific attribute (e.g., the hardness or the width)of the core body 111. Moreover, the PC 3 transmits and provides thereceived actual characteristic selection information to anotherelectronic stylus.

The stimulus generation circuit 123 of the present example includes anactuator that generates a stimulus to be audibly and/or tactilelyperceived by the user who is holding the electronic stylus 1, aspreviously explained. Examples of a stimulus to be audibly perceivedinclude a stimulus caused by sound (acoustic stimulus). As an actuator(acoustic vibrator) that generates an acoustic stimulus, a loudspeaker1231 is provided in the present example.

At least one of a stimulus caused by power, a stimulus caused byvibration, and a stimulus caused by motion is used as a stimulus to betactilely perceived by the user who is holding the pen casing 13 of theelectronic stylus 1. The stimulus generation circuit 123 includes anactuator that generates the above-described stimuluses. As an actuatorthat gives a vibration stimulus to the user, a vibrator 1232 is providedin the present example. It is to be noted that a rotational vibrator, anextendable vibrator (e.g., a shaft body movement mechanism using apiezoelectric element, a movement mechanism for moving a shaft bodyforward and rearward or leftward and rightward with use of a coil) maybe used as the actuator that generates a stimulus to be tactilelyperceived.

The loudspeaker 1231 is disposed so as to allow the user of theelectronic stylus 1 to hear sound emitted from the loudspeaker 1231.Therefore, a plurality of small through holes, not depicted, forreleasing sound emitted by the loudspeaker 1231 to the outside aredisposed in a lateral circumferential surface of the pen casing 13 ofthe electronic stylus 1. In addition, the vibrator 1232 is configured tovibrate itself to vibrate the pen casing 13 through the extensionfunction module 12 in such a way that the user can perceive thevibration.

In the extension function module 12 of the electronic stylus 1 of thepresent example, because the actual characteristic selection informationreceived from the information generation circuit 121 is also actualcharacteristic correspondence information, the control circuit 120generates a sound signal corresponding to sound generated by frictionbetween the input surface and the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 ofthe electronic stylus 1 when actual characteristic selection informationis obtained. Further, the control circuit 120 generates a vibrationdrive signal corresponding to vibration to be perceived by the user. Inaddition, also from actual characteristic selection information receivedfrom the PC 3 through the wireless communication circuit 122, thecontrol circuit 120 generates a sound signal and a vibration drivesignal in the same manner.

The control circuit 120 of the present example stores informationregarding a correspondence table between a sound signal and a vibrationdrive signal corresponding to information regarding various types ofactual characteristics (including various values of motion detectionoutputs) selected by actual characteristic selection information. Byusing the correspondence table information, the control circuit 120generates a sound signal and a vibration drive signal from information(motion detection output) that is generated by the informationgeneration circuit 121 or received via the wireless communicationcircuit 122 and that corresponds to an actual characteristic selected bythe actual characteristic selection information. The table informationmay previously be stored in the control circuit 120. In the presentexample, however, the table information is mainly previously stored andheld in the PC 3. It is to be noted that the PC 3 can acquire necessarytable information from the server device 4 via the communication network5. The same applies to other table information stored and held in thecontrol circuit 120, which will be described later.

The control circuit 120 supplies the generated sound signal to theloudspeaker 1231 via an amplifier 1233, and supplies the generatedvibration drive signal to the vibrator 1232 via a drive circuit 1234.Accordingly, the user can perceive, from the loudspeaker 1231, astimulus generated by sound corresponding to the actual characteristicselection information, and can perceive, from the vibrator 1232, avibration stimulus corresponding to the actual characteristic selectioninformation.

Desired Characteristic Selection Information

In the present embodiment, without using the above-described actualcharacteristic selection information, the user is prompted to designate,as a characteristic for the core body 111 and/or the input surface 2 a,a characteristic (desired characteristic) desired for the core body 111and/or the input surface 2 a such that information regarding thedesignated desired characteristic can be transmitted from the extensionfunction module 12 of the electronic stylus 1 to the PC 3. In thefollowing explanation, information regarding a designated desiredcharacteristic is referred to as desired characteristic selectioninformation.

FIG. 17 depicts a configuration example of the extension function module12 of the present example. In the present example, in order to allow theuser of the electronic stylus 1 to select and designate a desiredcharacteristic for the core body 111, an operation section 18 that canbe operated by the user is provided as depicted in FIG. 17 . Further, inthe present example, an information generation circuit 121A of thesecond function module 12 includes an operation state sensing circuit1213 that detects a desired characteristic designated through theoperation section 18 and a desired characteristic selection informationgeneration circuit 1214 that generates, as desired characteristicselection information, designation information based on the detectionresult obtained by the operation state sensing circuit 1213.

In this case, as the operation section 18, both an operation section forselecting and designating a desired characteristic for the core body 111and an operation section for selecting and designating a desiredcharacteristic for the input surface 2 a may be provided to theelectronic stylus 1, or either one of them may be provided to theelectronic stylus 1.

FIGS. 18A and 18B and FIG. 19 each depict an example of the operationsection 18 though which desired characteristic selection information isdesignated. FIGS. 18A and 18B and FIG. 19 each depict an example of theoperation section for selecting and designating a desired characteristicfor the core body 111. In this case, the hardness of the core body 111is selected as the desired characteristic for the core body 111. Forexample, for pencils which are writing tools, English letters such as“B,” “H,” “F,” and “HB” are used as indexes for indicating corehardness/density. In the present example, such an English letter forindicating core hardness/density of a pencil is selected as informationfor designating a desired characteristic for the core body 111.

In the example of FIGS. 18A and 18B, the operation section 18 includes arotational ring 18R that is disposed in a portion, on the outercircumference of the pen casing 13 of the electronic stylus 1, where theextension function module 12 is disposed in the casing 13 as depicted inFIG. 18A. FIG. 18A is a diagram depicting the rear end side of theelectronic stylus 1 where the extension function module 12 is disposed.FIG. 18B is a cross sectional view (A-A cross section) at the positionof the rotational ring 18R in FIG. 18A.

The rotational ring 18R is disposed on the outer circumference of thepen casing 13 in such a manner as to be rotatable about the axial centerposition of the pen casing 13 as depicted in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Aportion of the pen casing 13 where the rotational ring 18R is disposedincludes a transparent member 13T that allows external light to passtherethrough, as depicted in FIGS. 18A and 18B. An opening 18Ra formedof a through hole is formed in a predetermined position in thecircumferential direction in the rotational ring 18R. Therefore,external light enters the inside of the pen casing 13 through theopening 18Ra in the rotational ring 18R and the transparent member 13Tin the pen casing 13.

For the extension function module 12 disposed in the pen casing 13, atransparent casing that allows light to pass therethrough is used, ifprovided. In a position, in the extension function module 12, forreceiving light entering from the opening 18Ra in the rotational ring18R, a light reception sensor 19PD for detecting light entering from theopening 18Ra is disposed along the circumferential direction about theaxial center position of the pen casing 13. The light reception sensor19PD has a plurality of divisional regions in the circumferentialdirection as depicted in FIG. 18B. The light reception sensor 19PDconstitutes the operation state sensing circuit 1213 of the informationgeneration circuit 121A.

Light detection outputs from the respective divisional regions of thelight reception sensor 19PD are supplied to the desired characteristicselection information generation circuit 1214 of the informationgeneration circuit 121A. The desired characteristic selectioninformation generation circuit 1214 detects a rotational angularposition of the opening 18Ra in the rotational ring 18R on the basis ofwhich one of the divisional regions of the light reception sensor 19PDhas a maximum level of light detection output.

In the present example, pencil core hardness/density as a characteristicof the core body 111, which is an example of a desired characteristic,is previously assigned to each of the divisional regions of the lightreception sensor 19PD. The desired characteristic selection informationgeneration circuit 1214 detects the pencil core hardness/densityassigned to the divisional region having the maximum level of lightdetection output in the light reception sensor 19PD, and generatesdesired characteristic selection information for designating thedetected pencil core hardness/density.

In this case, the desired characteristic selection informationgeneration circuit 1214 may have correspondence table information ondesired characteristic selection information corresponding to thedesignated hardness of the core body 111, and may generate desiredcharacteristic selection information corresponding to the designatedhardness of the core body by using the correspondence table information.The control circuit 120 transmits the desired characteristic selectioninformation generated by the information generation circuit 121A to thePC 3 via the wireless communication circuit 122.

Further, the control circuit 120 stores information regarding acorrespondence table between a sound signal and a vibration drive signalcorresponding to information regarding various desired characteristicsdesignated by the desired characteristic selection information. By usingthe correspondence table information, the control circuit 120 generatesa sound signal and a vibration drive signal corresponding to a desiredcharacteristic designated by the desired characteristic selectioninformation generated by the information generation circuit 121A orreceived via the wireless communication circuit 122.

The PC 3 performs a process of, for example, reflecting the receiveddesired characteristic selection information in display of a writingtrace which is a time-series change of an indication position of theelectronic stylus 1 received from the tablet 2, which will be describedlater. In addition, the PC 3 can transmit and provide the receiveddesired characteristic selection information to another electronicstylus.

As depicted in FIG. 18A, letters such as “F,” “HB,” and “H” which eachindicate pencil core hardness/density to be designated as a desiredcharacteristic for the core body 111 are printed near the rotationalring 18R on the pen casing 13. By using the printed letters as a guide,the user can designate hardness of the core body 111, which is oneexample of a desired characteristic, by rotating the rotational ring 18Rto adjust the position of the opening 18Ra to the position of the letterindicating the desired hardness of the core body 111.

It is to be noted that, as a desired characteristic, a characteristic ofthe input surface 2 a of the position detection sensor may bedesignated, instead of a characteristic of the core body 111, by therotational ring 18R. In this case, different characteristics of theinput surface 2 a are assigned to the divisional regions of the lightreception sensor 19PD. Since the characteristic is determined by thematerial of the input surface 2 a, “glass surface,” “hard resinsurface,” “soft resin surface,” “Kent paper,” “Japanese paper,” and thelike can be assigned for designation.

In the example of FIGS. 18A and 18B, the rotational angular position ofthe rotational ring 18R is optically detected. However, the method fordetecting the rotational angular position of the rotational ring 18R isnot limited to this example. For example, the rotational angularposition of the rotational ring 18R may be magnetically detected. Thatis, in the case where the rotational angular position is magneticallydetected, a magnet is mounted in the position of the opening 18Ra, inplace of the opening 18Ra, in the rotational ring 18R. Then, in theextension function module 12, instead of the light reception sensor 19PDhaving a plurality of divisional regions in the circumferentialdirection, a plurality of magnetic sensors may be disposed at aninterval in the circumferential direction, and further, a correspondencebetween the respective magnetic sensors and different characteristics(the hardness, for example) of the core body 111 or differentcharacteristics (materials, for example) of the input surface 2 a may bedefined.

The rotational ring 18R in the above-described embodiment is disposed onthe outer circumference of the pen casing 13. However, in a case wherethe extension function module 12 has a casing and the tail end side ofthe casing is projected from the pen casing, the rotational ring 18R maybe disposed on an outer circumference of the portion, of the casing ofthe extension function module 12, projected from the tail end side ofthe pen casing 13.

In addition, the operation section for designating characteristicselection information is not limited to the example using the rotationalring depicted in FIGS. 18A and 18B.

FIG. 19 depicts another example of the operation section for designatingcharacteristic selection information. In this example, a switchoperation section that is similar to the side switch disposed on theposition detection module 11 is used.

In the example of the operation section 18 depicted in FIG. 19 , aswitch operation section 18S that is similar to the side switch disposedon the position detection module 11 depicted in FIG. 10 is disposed onthe outer circumference of the pen casing 13 of the electronic stylus 1such that the user can operate the switch operation section 18S. Theswitch operation section 18S is connected between the winding start andthe winding end of a coil 18L that is wound around a position on theouter circumference of the pen casing 13 where the extension functionmodule 12 is housed, in the same manner as that in FIG. 10 .

In the present example, the operation state sensing circuit 1213 of theinformation generation circuit 121A of the extension function module 12,which has been depicted in FIG. 17 , includes a resonance circuitincluding a coil 19L and a capacitor 19C. The desired characteristicselection information generation circuit 1214 detects an on/off state ofthe switch operation section 18S by monitoring the resonance frequencyof the resonance circuit of the operation state sensing circuit 1213,which varies due to the influence of the coil 18L according to theon/off state of the switch operation section 18S. Furthermore, thedesired characteristic selection information generation circuit 1214detects the number of times of repetitions of on/off operations of theswitch operation section 18S and the duration of the on time, andgenerates desired characteristic selection information indicating adesired characteristic designated by the user on the basis of thedetection result.

It is to be noted that the information generation circuit of the secondfunction module 12 may have a function of generating both actualcharacteristic selection information and desired characteristicselection information, and may be configured to generate either actualcharacteristic selection information or desired characteristic selectioninformation based on the user's selection and transmit the generatedcharacteristic selection information to the PC 3.

Texture Detector

The electronic stylus 1 may include a texture detector that detectstextures including a material texture, a raw material texture, a touchtexture, and the like of the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2, inaddition to the position detection module 11 and the extension functionmodule 12.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example of the electronic stylus1 including the texture detector. In the electronic stylus 1 of thepresent example, the position detection module 11 and the extensionfunction module 12 are arranged, inside the pen casing 13, side by sidein the axial direction of the pen casing 13 as previously explained, andfurther, a texture detector 10TX is provided to the pen casing 13 on thetip end 111 a side of the core body 111 of the position detection module11.

In the present example, the texture detector 10TX includes an imagingelement 101CM and a microphone 102MC. The imaging element 101CM ismounted in a predetermined position on the outer circumference of thepen casing 13 and is disposed so as to capture the front side of theinput surface 2 a of the tablet 2. One imaging element 101CM may bedisposed, or a plurality of imaging elements 101CM may be disposed indifferent positions on the outer circumference. The microphone 102MC isalso mounted in a predetermined position on the outer circumference ofthe pen casing 13 and is disposed so as to collect sound generated byfriction between the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 of theelectronic stylus 1 and the front side of the input surface 2 a of thetablet 2. One microphone 102MC may be disposed, or a plurality ofmicrophones 102MC may be disposed in different positions on the outercircumference.

In the present example, the texture detector 10TX includes a powersource circuit equipped with a primary battery or a secondary battery,which is not depicted, to supply a power source voltage for the imagingelement 101CM and the microphone 102MC. In addition, in the presentexample, the texture detector 10TX includes a wireless communicationcircuit that performs short-distance wireless communication conformingto the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, for example, and thus,has a function of transmitting captured image data on the input surface2 a obtained by the imaging element 101CM and sound data collected bythe microphone 102MC, to the PC 3.

It is to be noted that, without providing any wireless communicationcircuit to the texture detector 10TX, the captured image data on theinput surface 2 a obtained by the imaging element 101CM and the sounddata collected by the microphone 102MC may be inputted to the controlcircuit 120 of the extension function module 12, and the control circuit120 may transmit the data to the PC 3 through the wireless communicationcircuit 122. Alternatively, without having a power source circuit, thetexture detector 10TX may be configured to receive supply of a powersource voltage from the extension function module 12.

In the PC 3, the texture detection information received from the texturedetector 10TX, in the present example, the captured image data on theinput surface 2 a obtained by the imaging element 101CM and the sounddata collected by the microphone 102MC, is subjected to processing thatis similar to the above-described processing performed on the actualcharacteristic selection information in the extension function module12. That is, the captured image data on the input surface 2 a obtainedby the imaging element 101CM and the sound data collected by themicrophone 102MC are information corresponding to an actualcharacteristic of the input surface 2 a and can be treated as actualcharacteristic selection information.

Therefore, in a case where the captured image data on the input surface2 a obtained by the imaging element 101CM and the sound data collectedby the microphone 102MC are supposed to be inputted to the controlcircuit 120 of the extension function module 12, the control circuit 120may transmit, as actual characteristic selection information, the motiondetection output information obtained from the information generationcircuit 121 and the captured image data and the sound data obtained fromthe texture detector 10TX, to the PC 3.

In addition, the control circuit 120 of the extension function module 12may have a function of generating a drive signal for driving theloudspeaker 1231 and the vibrator 1232 of the stimulus generationcircuit 123, from the captured image data and the sound data each ofwhich is an example of a texture detection output from the texturedetector 10TX. This configuration is not limited to the case where thecaptured image data and the sound data each of which is an example of atexture detection output from the texture detector 10TX are supposed tobe inputted to the control circuit 120 of the extension function module12. The reason for this is that the control circuit 120 may receive thecaptured image data and the sound data which are texture detectionoutputs from the texture detector 10TX, from the PC 3 via the wirelesscommunication circuit 122, and may generate a drive signal based on thereceived data.

It is to be noted that the electronic stylus 1 in the example of FIG. 20may have a configuration in which the extension function module 12 doesnot include an information generation circuit that obtains a motiondetection output as actual characteristic selection information, butincludes the texture detector 10TX to transmit a texture detectionoutput as actual characteristic selection information to the PC 3.

Alternatively, the electronic stylus 1 may include the texture detector10TX and the position detection module 11 without including theextension function module 12. In this case, a power source circuit and awireless or wired communication section for transmitting a texturedetection output to the PC 3 are provided to the texture detector 10TX.

Not only in the case where the electronic stylus 1 has the positiondetection module 11 and the extension function module 12 housed in thepen casing 13 but also in the case where the electronic stylus 1 has acap type pen configuration in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the electronic stylus 1according to the above-described embodiment explained so far is usedwhile being held by a user's dominant hand during a writing input on theinput surface 2 a of the tablet 2 in a state where the positiondetection module 11 and the extension function module 12 are arranged inthe axial direction of the pen casing 13.

However, in the case where the extension function module 12 is formedseparately from the pen casing 13 as in the example in FIGS. 13A and13B, the extension function module 12 and the pen casing 13 may be usedwhile being individually held by the dominant hand and the non-dominanthand of the user during use.

FIGS. 21A and 21B depict an example of the electronic stylus 1 in thiscase. In this example, only the position detection module 11 is housedin the pen casing 13 such that the tip end 111 a of the core body 111Cof the position detection module 11 is projected from an opening that isdefined on one end side in the axial direction of the pen casing 13,while the extension function module 12 is housed in an extensionfunction module casing 12K which is separate from the pen casing 13, asdepicted in FIG. 21A.

During use, the pen casing 13 is held by the user's dominant hand HR toperform a writing input on the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2, andthe extension function module casing 12K is held by the user'snon-dominant hand HL. The extension function module 12 of the electronicstylus 1 in FIGS. 21A and 21B does not include the informationgeneration circuit 121 of the above-described example but includes thewireless communication circuit 122 and the stimulus generation circuit123.

Next, some processing operation examples of an input system includingthe electronic stylus 1 having the above-described configuration, thetablet 2, and the PC 3 will be explained.

Processing Operation Example 1 of Input System; Determining Display Formof Writing Trace Processing Operation Example 1-1: Determining DisplayForm of Writing Trace of Electronic Stylus 1 According to ActualCharacteristic Selection Information

FIG. 22 is a block diagram for explaining a processing operation example1 of the input system. In this example, in accordance with a drawingsoftware program having been installed in the PC 3, the PC 3 displays,on the display screen 32D of the display device 32, a display image of awriting trace of the electronic stylus 1 inputted to the input surface 2a of the tablet 2, in a display form based on characteristic selectioninformation supplied from the extension function module 12 of theelectronic stylus 1. It is to be noted that, also in another processingoperation example of the input system which will be explained later, thePC 3 displays a writing trace of the electronic stylus 1 obtained fromthe tablet 2 in accordance with a drawing software program having beeninstalled in the PC 3.

As depicted in FIG. 22 , the electronic stylus 1 of the input system ofthe present example includes the position detection module 11 of theelectromagnetic induction method, and includes a coil 113M constitutinga resonance circuit that is electromagnetically coupled with theposition detection sensor of the tablet 2 and that performs signalinteraction, and a pen pressure detector 114M. The extension functionmodule 12 of the electronic stylus 1 of the present example includes thecontrol circuit 120, the information generation circuit 121, thewireless communication circuit 122, the ID memory 124, and the powersource circuit 125, but does not include the stimulus generation circuit123. It is to be noted that the position detection module 11 may adoptthe capacitance method as previously described. The same applies toexamples described later.

The PC 3 of the input system of the present example includes a tabletoutput processing circuit 311 that receives and processes a tabletoutput from the tablet 2, a wireless communication circuit 312 thatcommunicates with the wireless communication circuit 122 of theelectronic stylus 1, a display form determination circuit 313, and adisplay information generation circuit 314. In this case, the PC 3 canprocess, in real time, the tablet output from the tablet 2 andinformation received from the extension function module 12 of theelectronic stylus 1 via the wireless communication circuit 312 as thetablet output and the information are considered to be synchronized interms of timing.

The display form determination circuit 313 determines a display form ofa writing trace to be displayed on the display screen 32D of the displaydevice 32 on the basis of characteristic selection information receivedvia the wireless communication circuit 312 from the electronic stylus 1and pen pressure value information supplied from the tablet outputprocessing circuit 311.

The display information generation circuit 314 generates writing traceinformation from information regarding the coordinates of the tip end111 a of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1 supplied from thetablet output processing circuit 311, generates display informationregarding the generated writing trace information on the basis of thedisplay form determined by the display form determination circuit 313,and supplies the display information to the display device 32 to displaythe writing trace display information on the display screen 32D.

It is to be noted that the tablet output processing circuit 311, thedisplay form determination circuit 313, and the display informationgeneration circuit 314 of the PC 3 are implemented by functionalprocessing based on the program in the processor of the PC 3. FIG. 23 isa flowchart of an example of a processing flow that is executed by theprocessor of the PC 3 in accordance with a program. Hereinafter, aprocessing operation of the input system of the present example will beexplained according to the flowchart.

In the present example, the user turns on a power source switch of theextension function module 12, holds the electronic stylus 1, andperforms a writing input on the input surface 2 a of the positiondetection sensor of the tablet 2. Subsequently, the position detectioncircuit performs signal interaction with a resonance circuit includingthe coil 113M of the position detection module 11 of the electronicstylus 1 through the position detection sensor 20 of the tablet 2.Accordingly, in the above-described manner, the position detectioncircuit detects a position indicated and inputted by the tip end 111 aof the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1, generates coordinateinformation corresponding to the writing input, and obtains informationregarding the pen pressure value detected at the time by the electronicstylus 1. The tablet 2 transmits the generated coordinate informationand pen pressure value information to the PC 3. For example, the penpressure value changes according to a writing input target or a user'shabit, as depicted in FIG. 24A.

Here, the information generation circuit 121 of the extension functionmodule 12 of the electronic stylus 1 detects motion that corresponds tomotion of the tip end 111 a of the core body 111 of the electronicstylus 1 by using the gyro sensor 1211 and the acceleration sensor 1212.A detection output of the detected motion changes mainly according tothe surface state (e.g., the surface roughness or the hardness)corresponding to the material of the input surface 2 a, as depicted inFIG. 24B, for example. The influence of the pen pressure value is alsoexerted on the output. The extension function module 12 wirelesslytransmits the detection output of the detected motion as actualcharacteristic selection information, together with the identificationinformation ID2 read from the ID memory 124, to the PC 3 via thewireless communication circuit 122.

In the PC 3, whether or not a tablet output including coordinateinformation and pen pressure value information has been received fromthe tablet 2 is monitored (S1 in FIG. 23 ). In a case where it isdetermined that no tablet output has been received, another process isexecuted (S2). After the other process is finished, the processingreturns to S1. In a case where it is determined, at S1, that a tabletoutput has been received, the PC 3 generates writing trace informationfrom the coordinate information included in the tablet output (S3).

The PC 3 takes in information received by the wireless communicationcircuit 312 (S4) and determines the width and density of a line toindicate the writing trace on the basis of the identificationinformation ID2 included in the received information (S5). In this case,since the PC 3 has obtained and stored correspondence table informationbetween identification information ID2 and a line width/line densityfrom the server device 4 via the communication network 5, the PC 3determines the line width and the line density on the basis of theidentification information ID2 at S4, with reference to the stored tableinformation. It is to be noted that both the line width and the linedensity may be determined, or either one of the line width and the linedensity may be determined, or the color of the line corresponding to theidentification information ID2 may additionally be determined.

Subsequently, the PC 3 extracts a motion detection output as actualcharacteristic selection information from the information received bythe wireless communication circuit 312, eliminates, from the extractedmotion detection output, the influence of a pen pressure value obtainedfrom the tablet output processing circuit 311, and then identifies thematerial of the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2 on the basis of theresultant motion detection output (S6).

In this case, the motion detection output varies according to thematerial of the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2 as depicted in FIG.24B. In the server device 4, information regarding a correspondencetable between a plurality of change types of motion detection output forrespective materials of the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2 andmaterials corresponding to the change types is prepared, as depicted inFIG. 25 . The PC 3 previously obtains and stores the correspondencetable information from the server device 4 via the communication network5. With use of the correspondence table information, the material of theinput surface 2 a is identified on the basis of the motion detectionoutput extracted from the information received by the wirelesscommunication circuit 312.

It is to be noted that, instead of using such correspondence tableinformation, the PC 3 may analyze motion detection output informationand make a calculation on the material-corresponding type of the motiondetection output.

Subsequent to S6, the PC 3 generates, on the basis of the linewidth/line density determined at S5 and the material of the inputsurface 2 a identified at S6, writing trace display informationregarding a display form just like writing is directly performed on theinput surface 2 a of the identified material with a writing tool, andtransmits the generated display information to the display device 32such that the display information is displayed on the display screen 32D(S7). In this case, when writing trace display information is generated,the pen pressure value information extracted from the tablet detectionoutput may be taken into account. Whether or not to take the penpressure value information into account can be decided by the user. Inthe case where the pen pressure value information is not taken intoaccount in the display information, a writing trace from which a user'swriting habit has been eliminated is expected to be displayed.

Subsequent to S7, the PC 3 determines whether or not the writing isfinished on the basis of whether or not the tablet detection output isstopped for a predetermined time period or longer (S8). In the casewhere it is determined, at S8, that the writing is not finished, theprocessing is returned to S1, and then, the PC 3 repeats the processingfrom S1. In the case where it is determined, at S8, that the writing isfinished, the PC 3 ends the processing routine.

In this manner, the PC 3 can display a writing trace of the electronicstylus 1 obtained from the tablet 2, in a writing trace display formincluding a writing blur or the like according to the material of theinput surface 2 a or the hardness of the core body 111 of the electronicstylus 1 during actual writing using the electronic stylus 1, instead ofdisplaying a writing trace in a uniform display form with a uniform linewidth or uniform line density while regarding the writing trace as merecontinuous pieces of coordinate information. Therefore, this exampleprovides a prominent effect that a writing trace, which is similar tothat obtained when drawing is performed on a writing medium such as apaper medium with a pencil or the like, can be displayed on the displayscreen 32D according to the writing medium or the pencil core hardness.

It is to be noted that, in the above processing example, the material ofthe input surface 2 a is identified at S6, and the writing trace isdisplayed as if a writing input is performed on the identified material.However, S6 may be omitted, and at S7, display information for changingthe line width and the line density determined at S5 (including a changeof the line width and a change of the line density) according to amotion detection output (including the relevance to the pen pressurevalue), may be generated.

It is to be noted that, in the above processing example, the PC 3determines the line width and the line density by using theidentification information ID2 supplied from the extension functionmodule 12, but the identification information ID1 (ID11M or ID11C)obtained from the ID memory disposed in the position detection module 11may be used instead. The same applies to examples below.

Processing Operation Example 1-2: Determining Display Attribute andDisplay Form of Writing Trace of Electronic Stylus 1 According toDesired Characteristic Selection Information

The electronic stylus 1 constituting the input system of the presentexample includes, as an example of the operation section for designatingdesired characteristic selection information, the rotational ring 18Rthat is disposed in a position, on the outer circumferential portion ofthe pen casing 13 of the electronic stylus 1, where the extensionfunction module 12 is disposed, as depicted in FIG. 18A. In the presentexample, the user is allowed to select the material of the input surface2 a through the rotational ring 18R. The extension function module 12 isconfigured to transmit, as desired characteristic selection information,information regarding the selected material of the input surface 2 a tothe PC 3 via the wireless communication circuit 122.

Further, in the present example, the PC 3 identifies the hardness andthe thickness of the core body 111 on the basis of the identificationinformation ID2 supplied from the extension function module 12 anddetermines a line width and a line density. In the present example, amotion detection output generated by the information generation circuit121 is not transmitted from the extension function module 12 to the PC3.

In the present example, the PC 3 receives information regardingselection of a rotation angle position of the opening 18Ra of therotational ring 18R from the extension function module 12, andidentifies the material of the input surface 2 a selected and designatedby the user with reference to table information previously stored andheld, as previously explained. Further, the PC 3 determines the linewidth and line density of a writing trace on the basis of theidentification information ID2 in the above-described manner.

Subsequently, the PC 3 receives coordinate information regarding the tipend 111 a of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1 acquired fromthe tablet 2, generates writing trace information, and generatesinformation for displaying the generated writing trace information so asto implement a writing trace on the input surface 2 a of the identifiedmaterial. In the generated writing trace display information, penpressure value information included in information acquired from thetablet 2 can be reflected as in the above-described example. Whether ornot to reflect the pen pressure value information can be determined bythe user, as previously explained.

In the PC 3 of the present example, a writing blur of the electronicstylus 1 corresponding to the material of the input surface 2 a selectedand designated by the user can be included in the display form of thewriting trace. Therefore, the present example provides a prominenteffect that, irrespective of the actual material of the input surface 2a, a writing trace of a writing input performed with an electronicstylus on an input surface of a material desired by the user can bedisplayed on the display screen 32D.

It is to be noted that hardness of the core body 111 may be selected anddesignated through the rotational ring 18R of the electronic stylus 1,and the material of the input surface 2 a may be determined according toidentification information (ID) supplied from the extension functionmodule 12. In addition, a combination of hardness of the core body 111and the material of the input surface 2 a may be selected and designatedthrough the rotational ring 18R of the electronic stylus 1. Moreover,both the function of selective designation using the rotational ring 18Rand the function of selective designation using the switch sectiondepicted in FIGS. 18A and 18B may be provided to the electronic stylus 1such that one of the functions selects and designates a characteristicsuch as the hardness of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus andthe other of the functions selects and designates the material of theinput surface 2 a.

Processing Operation Example 1-3: Determining Display Form of WritingTrace of Electronic Stylus 1 According to Texture Detection Output fromTexture Detector 10TX

The electronic stylus 1 constituting the input system of this exampleincludes the texture detector 10TX. A captured image output from theimaging element 101CM and a collected sound output from the microphone102MC of the texture detector 10TX are inputted to the control circuit120 of the extension function module 12 and are transmitted, as actualcharacteristic selection information, to the PC 3 via the wirelesscommunication circuit 122.

Further, in the present example, the PC 3 identifies the hardness andthe thickness of the core body 111 on the basis of the identificationinformation ID2 supplied from the extension function module 12 anddetermines a line width and a line density. Also in the present example,a motion detection output generated by the information generationcircuit 121 is not transmitted from the extension function module 12 tothe PC 3. Therefore, in the present example, it is not necessary toprovide the information generation circuit 121 to the extension functionmodule 12.

The PC 3 receives the coordinate information on the tip end 111 a of thecore body 111 of the electronic stylus 1 acquired from the tablet 2,generates writing trace information, and generates information fordisplaying the generated writing trace so as to implement a writingtrace on the input surface 2 a of the material determined on the basisof a texture detection output of the texture detector 10TX received fromthe electronic stylus 1. In this case, since the PC 3 stores informationregarding the correspondence table between texture detection outputs andmaterials of the input surface 2 a, the PC 3 identifies the material ofthe input surface 2 a corresponding to the received texture detectionoutput, by using the correspondence table information. It is to be notedthat, in the information for displaying the generated writing trace, penpressure value information included in information acquired from thetablet 2 can be reflected, as in the above-described example.

In this case, texture detection outputs (a captured image output fromthe imaging element 101CM and a collected sound output from themicrophone 102MC) vary according to the material of the input surface 2a of the tablet 2. Information regarding a correspondence table betweendifferent variation types of a texture detection output for respectivematerials of the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2 and materialscorresponding to the respective variation types is prepared in theserver device 4. The PC 3 previously acquires and stores thecorrespondence table information from the server device 4 via thecommunication network 5, and identifies the material of the inputsurface 2 a on the basis of a texture detection output extracted fromthe information received by the wireless communication circuit 312, byusing the correspondence table information.

It is to be noted that a texture detection output may be either one of acaptured image output from the imaging element 101CM and a collectedsound output from the microphone 102MC.

In the above-described example, the material of the input surface 2 a ofthe tablet 2 is identified from a captured image output from the imagingelement 101CM and a collected sound output from the microphone 102MC,which are examples of texture detection outputs. However, a capturedimage output from the imaging element 101CM and a collected sound outputfrom the microphone 102MC vary also according to the hardness andmaterial of the core body 111. Therefore, a combination of acharacteristic such as the material of the input surface 2 a of thetablet 2 and a characteristic such as hardness or material of the corebody 111 may be identified with respect to a texture detection output.In addition, in a case where a specific characteristic is fixedlydetermined as a characteristic such as the material of the input surface2 a of the tablet 2, a characteristic such as the hardness or materialof the core body 111 may be identified with respect to a texturedetection output. In either case, information regarding a correspondencetable between a texture detection output and a characteristic value isprepared and used, as in the above-described example.

The PC 3 of the present example can display a writing trace in a displayform including the writing blur of the electronic stylus 1 correspondingto the material of the input surface 2 a or the hardness of theelectronic stylus determined by the above-described actualcharacteristic selection information.

It is to be noted that the wireless communication circuit 122 of theextension function module 12 is used to transmit a texture detectionoutput with the identification information ID2 to the PC 3 in theabove-described examples, but the texture detection output is notnecessarily transmitted via the wireless communication circuit 122 ofthe extension function module 12 if the texture detector 10TX includes awireless communication circuit. In a configuration in which theidentification information ID1 is acquired from the position detectionmodule 11 and is used in place of the identification information ID2, itis not necessary to provide the extension function module 12 to theelectronic stylus 1.

In all the above examples, the hardness of the core body and the likeare identified from the identification information ID1 and ID2.Alternatively, the PC 3 may process a predetermined default value ashardness of the core body. In this case, the identification informationis not required to identify the hardness and the like of the core body.

Processing Operation Example 2 of Input System; Giving Writing-TimeStimulus to User Processing Operation Example 2-1: Generating StimulusCorresponding to Writing-Time Actual Characteristic SelectionInformation

FIG. 26 is a block diagram for explaining the processing operationexample 2 of the input system. In this example, not only the functionfor determining a writing trace display form in the processing operationexample 1-1 of the input system, which has been explained with referenceto FIGS. 22 to 25 , but also a function for giving a writing-timestimulus to the user is provided. In FIG. 26 , a part identical to thatin FIG. 22 is denoted by the same reference symbol, and an explanationthereof will be omitted.

As depicted in FIG. 26 , in the present example, in addition to theelements depicted in FIG. 22 , the stimulus generation unit 123 isconnected to the control circuit 120 in the extension function module 12of the electronic stylus 1. In addition to the elements depicted in FIG.22 , a stimulus drive signal generation unit 315 is disposed in the PC3.

The stimulus drive signal generation unit 315 of the PC 3 identifies thematerial of the input surface 2 a on the basis of a motion detectionoutput received via the wireless communication circuit 312 and penpressure value information supplied from the tablet output processingunit 311 with reference to correspondence table information previouslystored in the PC 3 in the above-described manner, and on the basis ofthe identified material of the input surface 2 a, generates a sounddrive signal for acoustically driving the loudspeaker 1231 and avibration drive signal for driving the vibrator 1232 of the stimulusgeneration unit 123 of the electronic stylus 1. Then, the PC 3 transmitsthe generated sound drive signal and the generated vibration drivesignal to the electronic stylus 1.

The extension function module 12 of the electronic stylus 1 of thepresent example acquires the sound drive signal and the vibration drivesignal via the wireless communication circuit 122 and supplies thesignals to the stimulus generation unit 123 to drive the loudspeaker1231 and the vibrator 1232. The remaining operations are the same asthose in the above-described example in FIG. 22 .

FIG. 27 depicts an example of the operation flow of the electronicstylus 1 of the present example. That is, the position detection module11 of the electronic stylus 1 monitors electromagnetic inductioncoupling with the position detection sensor of the tablet 2 (S11). Whenthe electromagnetic induction coupling is established, signalinteraction between the position detection sensor and the positiondetection module 11 is performed through the electromagnetic inductioncoupling such that the coordinates of the position of the tip end 111 aof the core body 111 on the tablet 2 can be detected (S12).

Then, the control circuit 120 of the extension function module 12 of theelectronic stylus 1 transmits a motion detection output generated by theinformation generation unit 121, together with the identificationinformation ID2 to the PC 3 via the wireless communication circuit 122(S13).

Next, the control circuit 120 of the extension function module 12monitors whether a stimulus drive signal is received from the PC 3(S14). In the case where it is determined that the stimulus drive signalhas been received, the loudspeaker 1231 and the vibrator 1232 of thestimulus generation unit 123 are driven with the received stimulus drivesignal, so that a writing-input-time stimulus corresponding to thematerial of the input surface 2 a is transmitted to the user (S15).

Next, the electronic stylus 1 determines whether or not theelectromagnetic induction coupling between the position detection module11 and the position detection sensor of the tablet 2 is canceled (S16).In the case where it is determined that the electromagnetic inductioncoupling is not canceled, the processing returns to S12, and theprocessing is repeated from S12.

In the case where it is determined, at S16, that the electromagneticinduction coupling between the position detection module 11 and theposition detection sensor of the tablet 2 is canceled, whether or notthe start switch is off and the extension function module 12 is off inthe electronic stylus 1 is determined (S17). In the case where that itis determined that the start switch and the extension function module 12are not off, the processing returns to S11, and the processing isrepeated from S11.

Next, FIG. 28 depicts an example of the processing operation flow in thePC 3 of the present example. S1′ to S7′ in FIG. 28 are identical to S1to S7 in the flowchart in FIG. 23 .

In the present example, after S7′, the PC 3 identifies the material ofthe input surface 2 a of the tablet 2 on the basis of the motiondetection output received via the wireless communication circuit 312 andthe pen pressure value information acquired from the tablet 2, andgenerates a stimulus drive signal for driving the loudspeaker 1231 andthe vibrator 1232 of the extension function module 12 of the electronicstylus 1 on the basis of the identification (S21). Then, the generatedstimulus drive signal is transmitted to the electronic stylus 1 via thewireless communication circuit 312 (S22).

Subsequent to S22, the PC 3 determines whether or not the writing isfinished, on the basis of whether or not a tablet detection output isstopped for a predetermined time period or longer (S8′). In the casewhere it is determined at S8′ that the writing is not finished, theprocessing returns to S1′, and the PC 3 repeats the processing from S1′.In the case where it is determined at S8′ that the writing is finished,the PC 3 ends the processing routine.

Accordingly, in the present example, the user of the electronic stylus 1can receive, through the electronic stylus 1, a stimulus correspondingto the material of the input surface 2 a when performing a writing inputon the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2.

Processing Operation Example 2-2: Generating Stimulus Based on TextureDetection Output from Texture Detector 10TX During Writing

The electronic stylus 1 constituting the input system of the presentexample includes the texture detector 10TX, as in the above-describedprocessing operation example 1-3. In the present example, a capturedimage output from the imaging element 101CM and a collected sound outputfrom the microphone 102MC of the texture detector 10TX are inputted tothe control circuit 120 of the extension function module 12. Theextension function module 12 of the present example transmits, as actualcharacteristic selection information, the captured image output from theimaging element 101CM and the collected sound output from the microphone102MC of the texture detector 10TX to the PC 3 via the wirelesscommunication circuit 122. In the present example, the stimulusgeneration unit 123 is further disposed in the extension function module12.

The PC 3 of the present example has the configuration similar to that inFIG. 26 , and the operation thereof is similar to the processingoperation example 1-3. However, the present example differs from theprocessing operation example 1-3 in that, in the present example, atexture detection output received from the electronic stylus 1 is usedby the display form determination unit 313 to determine a display formof the writing trace, and also is used by the stimulus drive signalgeneration unit 315 to generate a stimulus drive signal. In the presentexample, the stimulus drive signal generated on the basis of texture bythe stimulus drive signal generation unit 315 is transmitted to theelectronic stylus 1 via the wireless communication circuit 312.

In the electronic stylus 1 of the present example, the control circuit120 of the extension function module 12 supplies a stimulus drive signalreceived from the PC 3 via the wireless communication circuit 122, tothe stimulus generation unit 123 to drive the loudspeaker 1231 and thevibrator 1232 in the same manner as that in the processing operationexample 2-1 such that an acoustic stimulus and a vibration stimulus aregiven to the user of the electronic stylus 1.

Processing Operation Example 3 of Input System; Giving Writing-TimeStimulus to User by Virtual Experience Processing Operation Example 3-1:Generating Stimulus Corresponding to Desired Characteristic SelectionInformation Supplied from Electronic Stylus 1

The extension function module 12 of the electronic stylus 1 constitutingthe input system of the present example includes the operation section18 for designating desired characteristic selection information and thestimulus generation unit 123, which are similar to those in theprocessing operation example 1-2.

In the present example, through the rotational ring 18R which is anexample of the operation section 18 for designating desiredcharacteristic selection information on the electronic stylus 1, theuser selectively designates a material of the input surface 2 a in thesame manner as that explained in the processing operation example 1-2.After receiving the selective designation, the extension function module12 transmits, as desired characteristic selection information,information indicating the selectively designated material of the inputsurface 2 a to the PC 3 via the wireless communication circuit 122.

The PC 3 identifies the material of the input surface 2 a selectivelydesignated by the user of the electronic stylus 1, on the basis of thedesired characteristic selection information received from theelectronic stylus 1, and generates writing trace display information soas to implement the writing trace on the input surface 2 a of theidentified material, as previously explained.

Further, in the present example, the PC 3 generates a stimulus drivesignal for causing the stimulus generation unit 123 of the electronicstylus 1 to generate stimuluses (e.g., an acoustic stimulus and avibration stimulus) that are expected to be perceived by the user if theuser performs writing input with the electronic stylus 1 on the inputsurface 2 a of the material determined by desired characteristicselection information, and transmits the stimulus drive signal to theelectronic stylus 1.

The electronic stylus 1 receives the stimulus drive signal from the PC 3and drives the loudspeaker 1231 and the vibrator 1232 of the stimulusgeneration unit 123 of the extension function module 12, in the samemanner as that in the processing operation example 2-1. Accordingly, theacoustic stimulus and the vibration stimulus are given to the user.

The present example provides effects that a stimulus corresponding tothe material of the input surface 2 a selectively designated by the userof the electronic stylus 1 through the operation section on theelectronic stylus 1, rather than a stimulus corresponding to the actualuse state, can be given to the user, and that the user can perceive avirtual stimulus as if the user generated a writing trace on the inputsurface 2 a of the selectively designated material.

It is to be noted that, as desired characteristic selection information,not the material of the input surface 2 a but the hardness of the corebody 111 may selectively be designated through the operation section, orboth the hardness of the core body 111 and the material of the inputsurface 2 a may selectively be designated through the operation section,as previously explained.

Processing Operation Example 3-2: Generating Experience Stimulus UnderCondition Designated Through Application in PC 3

In the processing operation example 3-1, the operation section 18disposed on the electronic stylus 1 for selectively designating desiredcharacteristic selection information is used to select a characteristicsuch as hardness of the core body 111 or a characteristic such as thematerial of the input surface 2 a. Alternatively, a characteristic suchas the hardness of the core body 111 or a characteristic such as thematerial of the input surface 2 a may be selected at the PC 3 side.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of theinput system in a case where the processing operation example 3-2 isexecuted.

In the electronic stylus 1 of the present example, the stimulusgeneration unit 123 is provided but the information generation unit 121and the ID memory 124 are not provided to the extension function module12 as depicted in FIG. 29 . In the present example, the control circuit120 of the extension function module 12 receives, via the wirelesscommunication circuit 122, a stimulus drive signal transmitted from thePC 3 and supplies the stimulus drive signal to the stimulus generationunit 123 to generate an acoustic stimulus and a vibration stimulus tothe user who is holding the electronic stylus 1.

The PC 3 of the present example includes an operation input part 33 forreceiving a user operation input, as depicted in FIG. 29 . The operationinput part 33 includes a keyboard, a mouse pad, a touch panel, or thelike.

In the PC 3 of the present example, a drawing software program(hereinafter, abbreviated as drawing software) for drawing a writingtrace on the basis of coordinate information supplied from the tablet 2has a function of receiving selective designation of a desiredcharacteristic such as the hardness of the core body 111 of theelectronic stylus 1 and a desired characteristic such as the material ofthe input surface 2 a of the tablet 2, which are examples of desiredcharacteristic selection information. Prior to position indication input(writing input) on the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2 with the corebody 111 of the electronic stylus 1, the user selectively designates adesired characteristic for the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1and a desired characteristic for the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2through the operation input part 33 by using the function of the drawingsoftware.

The stimulus drive signal generation unit 315 of the PC 3 generates astimulus drive signal corresponding to the selective designation andtransmits the generated stimulus drive signal to the electronic stylus 1via the wireless communication circuit 312. In the present example, thestimulus drive signal generation unit 315 of the PC 3 holds tableinformation for generating a stimulus drive signal according to aselectively designated desired characteristic for the core body 111 ofthe electronic stylus 1 and a selectively designated desiredcharacteristic for the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2. The tableinformation is previously acquired from the server device 4 via thecommunication network 5.

FIG. 30 is a diagram depicting one example of table information forgenerating a stimulus drive signal. In the present example, “B,” “HB,”“H,” and “F” which are index signs of a core density/hardness of apencil which is a writing tool are used as examples of a desiredcharacteristic for the core body 111. For example, in FIG. 30 ,selection can be made from among the index signs “B,” “HB,” “2H,” and“3H.” In FIG. 30 , selection can be made from among the materials“glass,” “Kent paper,” “drawing paper,” and “Japanese paper” which areexamples of a desired characteristic for the input surface 2 a.

As is well known, the index sign “B” indicates that the density of thecore is high and the core is soft, while the index sign “H” indicatesthat the density of the core is low and the core is hard. Further, agreater numerical value (“2B,” “3B,” . . . ) indicates a higher-densityand softer core, while a greater numerical value (“2H,” “3H,” . . . )indicates a lower-density and harder core. “HB” indicates density andhardness between “B” and “H.” A pencil having a higher-density andsofter core is thicker, and a pencil having a lower-density and hardercore is thinner, as depicted above the index signs in FIG. 30 .

Further, a surface state of the input surface 2 a depends on thematerial. “Glass” provides a roughly smooth surface state. “Kent paper,”“drawing paper,” and “Japanese paper” provide respective irregularsurface states, as depicted on the left side of the materials of theinput surface 2 a in FIG. 30 .

For example, the table information prepared in the server device 4 iscreated in the following manner. That is, writing input with pencilshaving different core densities and hardness levels are actuallyperformed on “glass,” “Kent paper,” “drawing paper,” and “Japanesepaper.” Sound corresponding to the relation between the pencil coredensity/hardness and the material of the input surface 2 a is generated,and vibration is transmitted to the user who is holding the pencil. Thegenerated sound is collected by a microphone, and the vibrationperceived by the user who is holding the pencil is detected by a motionsensor or the like.

From a sound signal of the sound collected by the microphone, anacoustic drive signal for acoustically driving the loudspeaker 1231 ofthe stimulus generation unit 123 of the electronic stylus 1 isgenerated. Alternatively, a sound signal of the sound collected by themicrophone is directly used as an acoustic drive signal. Further, from amotion detection output from the motion sensor, a vibration drive signalfor driving the vibrator 1232 of the stimulus generation unit 123 of theelectronic stylus 1 is generated.

In this case, different acoustic drive signals SP1, SP2, . . . , andSP16 and different vibration drive signals VB1, VB2, . . . , and VB16are generated for respective combinations of the pencil coredensity/hardness and the material of the input surface, as depicted inFIG. 30 . As depicted in FIG. 30 , stimulus drive signals each includinga pair of an acoustic drive signal and a vibration drive signal arebrought into correspondence with respective combinations of the pencilcore density/hardness and the material of the input surface.Accordingly, the correspondence table is created.

Next, a processing operation flow of the PC 3 of the present examplewill be explained with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 31 .

Prior to processing a tablet output from the tablet 2, the PC 3(hereinafter, a drawing application) provides notification of a messagefor prompting the user to selectively designate the material of theinput surface 2 a of the tablet 2 and the pencil core density/hardnesswhich are information for selectively designating hardness and a linedensity of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1, to the userthrough the display screen 32D and/or by sound (S31).

Next, the PC 3 monitors whether selective designation of a pencil coredensity/hardness and a material of the input surface 2 a of the tablet 2has been received from the user through the operation input part 33(S32). In the case where it is determined that the selective designationhas been received, the PC 3 selects a stimulus drive signal includingboth an acoustic drive signal and a vibration drive signal, by checkingthe received pencil core density/hardness and the received material ofthe input surface 2 a of the tablet 2 in the correspondence table inFIG. 30 (S33).

Next, the PC 3 waits for reception of a tablet output including bothcoordinate information and pen pressure value information from thetablet 2 (S34). In the case where it is determined that such a tabletoutput has been received, information regarding a writing trace isgenerated on the basis of the coordinate information in the tabletoutput (S35).

Next, on the basis of the information regarding the selected pencil coredensity/hardness and the selected material of the input surface 2 areceived at S32, the PC 3 generates information for displaying a writingtrace as if writing with a pencil having the selected coredensity/hardness were performed on the input surface 2 a of the selectedmaterial, and transmits the generated display information to the displaydevice 32 to display the writing trace on the display screen 32D (S36).In this case, pen pressure value information extracted from a tabletdetection output may normally be added to generate writing trace displayinformation, or whether or not to add the pen pressure value informationmay be determined by the user.

Then, the PC 3 transmits the stimulus drive signal selected at S33 tothe electronic stylus 1 via the wireless communication circuit 312(S37). Pen pressure value information extracted from a tablet detectionoutput is added to the stimulus drive signal to be transmitted to theelectronic stylus 1 in this case. It is to be noted that whether or notto add the pen pressure value information may be determined by the user.

Subsequent to S37, the PC 3 determines whether or not the writing isfinished, on the basis of whether or not the tablet detection output isstopped for a predetermined time period or longer (S38). In the casewhere it is determined at S38 that the writing is not finished, theprocessing is returned to S34, and the PC 3 repeats the processing fromS34. In the case where it is determined at S38 that the writing isfinished, the PC 3 ends the processing routine.

In the present example, a stimulus corresponding to the hardness/linedensity of the core body of the electronic stylus 1 and the material ofthe input surface 2 a selectively designated in a drawing application bythe user of the electronic stylus 1 through the operation section on thePC 3, rather than a stimulus corresponding to the actual use state, canbe given to the user, and the user can perceive a virtual stimulus as ifthe user generated, on the input surface 2 a of the material selectivelydesignated through the PC 3, the writing trace by the hardness/linedensity of the core body 111 of the electronic stylus 1 selectivelydesignated through the PC 3.

It is to be noted that nothing is transmitted from the extensionfunction module 12 in the example in FIG. 29 . However, theidentification information ID2 stored in the ID memory 124 of theextension function module 12 may be transmitted to the PC 3 such thatthe line type (solid line, broken line, dot-and-dash line, for example)or line color of a writing trace can be selected at the PC 3 sideaccording to the identification information ID2.

Moreover, the line type or line color of a writing trace may be selectedat the PC 3 side according to the identification information ID2, not inaccordance with the identification information supplied from theextension function module 12 but in accordance with the identificationinformation ID1 supplied from the position detection module 11.

It is to be noted that, in the processing operation examples 2 and 3,the PC 3 is configured to transmit (return) a stimulus drive signal toonly the electronic stylus 1 having transmitted actual characteristicselection information, desired characteristic selection information, ora texture detection output to the PC 3. Alternatively, the PC 3 maytransmit the stimulus drive signal also to another electronic stylussuch that a stimulus given to the electronic stylus 1 is alsotransmitted to a user of the other electronic stylus.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS

In the above embodiment, only the feature in which the motion sensor isused for detecting motion of the core body of the electronic stylus onthe input surface of the sensor during writing input. However, themotion sensor also can be used for detecting motion of the electronicstylus in a space separated from the input surface when the electronicstylus is shaken by the user back and forth, from side to side, in theaxial direction, or to draw a predetermined shape such as a circle suchthat the PC 3 recognizes a predetermined processing operation that ispredetermined for corresponding motion, and performs control to executethe processing operation.

In addition, the PC may be configured to recognize, as a user gesture,the above-described motion of the electronic stylus 1 and executeprocessing corresponding to the gesture.

It is to be noted that the position detection module 11 and theextension function module 12 are not limited to a configuration in whichthe position detection module 11 and the extension function module 12are arranged side by side in the axial direction of the casing of theposition indicator. For example, the position detection module 11 andthe extension function module 12 may be arranged, on one end side of theaxial direction of the casing of the position indicator, side by side ina direction intersecting the axial direction, or the extension functionmodule 12 may be disposed in a ring-shaped region surrounding theposition detection module 11.

The electronic stylus using a pen-shaped casing has been explained as anexample of the position indicator. However, the position indicator isnot limited to electronic styluses. A position indicator having a casingof any shape can be used.

In the above-described input system, the PC 3, which is an informationprocessing device, is formed separately from the tablet 2. However, anapparatus (e.g., a tablet PC) having both the function of the PC 3 andthe function of the tablet 2 may be provided.

It is to be noted that the characteristic selection information (actualcharacteristic selection information and desired characteristicselection information) generated by the extension function module 12 maybe transmitted to the PC 3 via a wireless communication circuit that isdisposed in the position detection module 11.

Alternatively, without disposing a wireless communication circuit in theposition detection module 11, the characteristic selection information(actual characteristic selection information and desired characteristicselection information) generated by the extension function module 12 maybe transmitted, together with a position detection signal supplied fromthe position detection module 11, to the tablet 2, and be transmittedfrom the tablet 2 to the PC 3. Therefore, in such a configuration inwhich characteristic selection information is transmitted from theelectronic stylus 1 to the PC 3 through the tablet 2, particularly, therotational ring 18R and the switch operation section 18S for selectingdesired characteristic selection information may be disposed inconnection with the position detection module 11 rather than theextension function module 12, and a section for detecting the state ofselection made by the rotational ring 18R and the state of selectionmade by the switch operation section 18S may be disposed in the positiondetection module 11.

It is to be noted that, in the above-described electronic stylus whichis an example of the position indicator, a position detection module andan extension function module are separately formed. However, it is notnecessary to provide two separate modules as long as the electronicstylus has both the function of the position detection module and thefunction of the extension function module.

It is to be noted that the embodiment of the present disclosure is notlimited to the foregoing embodiments, and that various changes can bemade without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent applicationpublications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patentapplications and non-patent publications referred to in thisspecification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet areincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of theembodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of thevarious patents, applications and publications to provide yet furtherembodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

1. A position indicator that is used with a position detection deviceincluding a position detection sensor, the position indicatorcomprising: a first function module including a core body that, inoperation, is brought into contact with an input surface for positiondetection in the position detection sensor, and a position detectionsignal transmission circuit that, in operation, transmits a positiondetection signal to the position detection sensor; and a second functionmodule including a first function circuit that, in operation, generatescharacteristic selection information corresponding to a characteristicof the core body or a characteristic of the input surface and transmitsthe characteristic selection information to an outside of the positionindicator, or a second function circuit that generates, in operation, astimulus corresponding to the characteristic selection information suchthat a user who is holding the position indicator audibly or tactilelyperceives the stimulus.
 2. The position indicator according to claim 1,wherein the stimulus corresponds to a state change that occurs in theposition indicator during an input operation with the core body incontact with the input surface.
 3. The position indicator according toclaim 1, wherein the first function module and the second functionmodule are integrally formed.
 4. The position indicator according toclaim 1, wherein the first function module and the second functionmodule are formed separately from each other.
 5. The position indicatoraccording to claim 1, wherein: the first function module and the secondfunction module are disposed in an axial direction of a casing, and atip end of the core body of the first function module projects to theoutside of the position indicator from an opening on a first end in theaxial direction of the casing.
 6. The position indicator according toclaim 5, wherein the second function module is disposed on the first endin the axial direction of the casing and is attachable to and detachablefrom the casing.
 7. The position indicator according to claim 5, whereinthe casing is formed from resin.
 8. The position indicator according toclaim 1, wherein the first function module excluding the core body andthe second function module are embedded in an axial direction of acasing.
 9. The position indicator according to claim 1, wherein thesecond function module is embedded in a casing.
 10. The positionindicator according to claim 1, wherein: a tip end of the core bodyprojects to the outside of the position indicator from an opening on afirst end in an axial direction of a casing, and the second functionmodule covers the first end in the axial direction of the casing and asecond end opposite to the first end, and is attachable to anddetachable from the first end and the second end in the axial directionof the casing.
 11. The position indicator according to claim 10, furthercomprising: a start switch that, in operation, turns on and off anoperation state of the second function module, wherein when the secondfunction module is mounted to cover the second end in the axialdirection of the casing, the start switch turns on the operation stateof the second function module.
 12. The position indicator according toclaim 1, further comprising: a start switch that, in operation, turns onand off an operation state of the second function module, and the startswitch is a press button switch that is disposed such that an operationstate of the second function module is on during a position indicationinput in which the position detection signal is transmitted from thefirst function module to the position detection sensor.
 13. The positionindicator according to claim 1, wherein the second function module isseparate from a casing in which the first function module is disposedand which, in operation, is held by a first hand of the user, and thesecond function module, in operation, is held by a second hand of theuser.